Digital education as a supporting factor in the social prevention of cyber scams: a systematic literature review using the prisma methodology

Abstract

Cyber fraud is one of the fastest-growing forms of cybercrime worldwide and in Latin America, affecting both individuals and institutions. This article presents a systematic review of the scientific literature on the role of digital education as a social prevention strategy against cyber fraud, integrating a critical criminological and social crime prevention approach. Using the PRISMA methodology, research projects published in scientific databases between 2000 and 2025 were analyzed. The results show that digital literacy, educational campaigns, institutional training, and gamification are tools that reduce citizen vulnerability to digital fraud and promote social co-responsibility in cybersecurity. From a critical criminology perspective, digital education is understood as an emancipatory process that seeks to balance power asymmetries in cyberspace and strengthen digital social justice. It is concluded that digital education does act as a contributing factor in the social prevention of cyber fraud.