The Mechanisms of Social Control of Digital Citizenship Consciousness and its Reflection on the Trends of the Youth towards the Applications of Smart Systems: An Exploratory Study

The study aimed to explore the state of Consciousness of the mechanisms of social control of digital citizenship and its reflection on the trends of youth towards the applications of smart systems, based on a proposed theoretical module for sociological analysis at the macro and central levels as a study guide, using the scientific method with its descriptive-analytical method, and the method of Social Survey by sample, through the design of an exploratory measured Survey measuring tool, using the Delphi guide for experts Delphi technique, according to the Likert scale gradients (Quaternary - scale, Pentatonic - scale) in descending order. The study targeted the Egyptian society in general to be its spatial scope, by applying to a non-probability purposive sample of Egyptian youth identified in two generations (Generation Y) and (Generation Z). The online selection and digital sampling technology have been customized to allow for the absence of geographical restrictions when applying and the study limits spatially. Specifically, based on The Intercept preview or The Intercept/ Pop-up Sampling applied to a sample of (573) individuals, its final results confirmed the importance of digital citizenship and its role in understanding the complex and difficult reality of technology in protecting society and individuals from the dangers arising from it within the framework of awareness of its social controls. The existence of a statistically significant correlation between consciousness of the controls of digital citizenship and its determinants in its various dimensions, the practice of digital citizenship with responsibility, consciousness and awareness, and trends towards the application of smart systems in digital citizenship among youth confirming on the high level of consciousness of the mechanisms of social control of digital citizenship, and this is reflected in the trends of youth towards the applications of smart systems in the Egyptian society. The existence of statistically significant differences between the average degrees of consciousness of the controls of digital citizenship, and the trends towards the applications of smart systems in digital citizenship among youth is due to the different social characteristics of the study sample, and the relative contribution of these characteristics and the practice of digital citizenship with responsibility, and consciousness in predicting trends towards the applications of smart systems was confirmed. In conclusion, the study recommended the need to formulate appropriate (preventive and motivational) policies to deal with the digital society and the applications of smart systems in digital citizenship.