Developing critical thinking in university students through neuroethics and digital literacy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20252712Keywords:
Neuroethics, Critical Digital Literacy, Neurotechnologies, Mental Privacy, Higher EducationAbstract
Introduction: the expansion of artificial intelligence and neurotechnologies has transformed higher education, generating new ethical and cognitive demands. In this context, the convergence between brain and technology poses challenges on mental privacy, digital responsibility and critical capacities, aspects that require deeper training in neuroethics and digital literacy.
Objective: to evaluate the relationship between neuroethics and critical digital literacy in university students and professors in Ecuador, Peru and Chile, identifying their levels of competence and ethical perceptions associated with the use of emerging technologies.
Method: a mixed sequential explanatory approach was developed. The quantitative phase used validated instruments with alpha equal to 0,89 and KMO equal to 0,81 applied to 420 students and 28 teachers selected through stratified sampling. The qualitative phase included interviews with 20 students and 10 teachers. The data were analyzed with statistical techniques and thematic coding, guaranteeing confidentiality and informed consent.
Results: 74 % of the participants presented an instrumental level of digital literacy, 48 % reached an intermediate level and only 28 % evidenced a critical mastery. Neuroethical awareness was limited: 38 % were aware of the concept and 15 % related it to mental privacy. The most perceived risks were loss of privacy at 67 %, algorithmic bias at 54 %, and cognitive dependence at 49 %.
Conclusions: the integration between neuroethics and critical digital literacy is still incipient. Training strategies and institutional policies are required to strengthen digital ethics, cognitive autonomy and the protection of mental privacy in higher education.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Edmundo Daniel Quinto Ochoa, Victor Danilo Lazo Alvarado, Sonia María Barragán Lucas, Byron Mauricio Albuja Sánchez, Luis David Bastidas Gonzalez (Author)
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