Digital Ethics and Value Education: A Study of Moral Behavior among Adolescents in Social Media Spaces

The rapid expansion of digital technologies has transformed the social and moral landscape of adolescents, making social media a central space for interaction, identity formation, and value expression. While these platforms provide opportunities for communication and learning, they also expose adolescents to ethical challenges such as cyberbullying, misinformation, privacy violations, and irresponsible digital behavior. In this context, the role of value education in fostering digital ethics has become increasingly significant. The present study examines the relationship between digital ethics awareness and moral behavior among adolescents in social media environments. A quantitative research approach employing a descriptive-cum-correlational design is adopted. The study is conducted on a sample of 180 secondary and higher secondary students selected through an appropriate sampling technique. Data are collected using standardized and self-constructed tools, including a Digital Ethics Scale and a Moral Behavior Questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis are applied for data analysis. The findings are expected to indicate a significant relationship between digital ethics awareness and moral behavior, suggesting that higher ethical awareness contributes to more responsible online conduct. The study highlights the importance of integrating value-based digital education into school curricula to promote ethical awareness and responsible digital citizenship among adolescents