A recent Kaspersky survey revealed that the majority of learners (76%) see at least some risks in studying online and 23% consider these risks serious. The most common digital fears related to online education turned out to be excessive screen time (50%), digital fatigue (49%) and misuse of AI tools (49%). Cybersecurity risks, like fake courses or personal data exposure, were also named as concerning by almost half of respondents.
Online education is a fast-growing sector, which is constantly increasing in popularity. However, despite its numerous benefits, digital learning carries inherent risks. To better understand these concerns, the Kaspersky Market Research Center conducted a survey* of over 1,400 individuals to identify the primary risks they associate with online education.
Spending all your time online and feeling lonely
Excessive screen time, fatigue and difficulty concentrating top the list of risks among all generations, showing that despite the flexibility and ease of access from any location, studying in digital is considered by a significant proportion of students to be potentially exhausting.
Generation Z feels the struggle of low motivation (43%) more acutely than Millennials (37%) or Gen X (39%). While younger learners are tech-savvy, they may find the self-discipline required for digital environments more challenging than older generations do. Millennials (36%) are the group most concerned with misleading or inaccurate learning information in digital studies. This suggests a higher level of skepticism or focus on the quality and source of digital content compared to Gen Z (29%) or Gen X (30%).
Lack of social interaction and feeling lonely is the risk least noted by Millennials (42%), but worrying Zoomers (49%) and Gen X (52%), suggesting that the 29-44 year old learners have perhaps adapted more to a permanent life in digital than the Gen Z or the older generation.
One of the most interesting findings is that Gen Z (59%) is significantly more concerned about the misuse of AI tools by other learners, than any other generation (compared to 46% of Millennials and 45% of Gen X). Even though Gen Z are digital natives, they seem most wary of how AI-generated homework or answers to the teacher's questions might undermine the integrity and equality of learning or are more aware of the consequences the excessive use of AI-powered tools may cause.
Fake certificates and account hacking
Interestingly, the probability of cybersecurity risks like phishing or malicious files was assessed by the respondents as slightly higher than general digital risks like fatigue or social isolation. Average respondents identified 3.4 general risks and 3.7 cyber risks in studying online.
Fake certificates (49%) and data exposure/misuse (49%) are the leading fears, followed closely by fake courses (47%). Malware, viruses in educational files, apps or software, as well as suspicious messages and links are considered as a digital education risk by 46% of respondents. The least popular risk in an online education, according to the surveyed learners, is hacking a learning account, with 40% being afraid of it.
People learning online on their own feel the most exposed. They have the highest concern for personal data misuse (54%) and feel more threatened by fake apps and websites (49%) than those studying in online groups. Learners in group classes are significantly more worried about scams through online communities (48%), likely because they are frequently required to join messaging groups (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.). People who are having private lessons with tutors on average note the least number of cyber risks.
“Online learning has given us unprecedented opportunities to study when and wherever we want, but the survey shows that it also carries hidden costs like isolation and screen fatigue or even cybersecurity risks. The key to sustainable learning is balance. By prioritizing a healthy mix of educational formats, reasonable timing and safety at the forefront, we can ensure that technology remains a tool for empowerment rather than a source of exhaustion and worry about your online safety," comments Evgeniya Russkikh, Head of Academic Affairs at Kaspersky.
Here are some tips on how to make studying online more comfortable and secure:
· Verify before buying. Research course providers and check for real contacts and reviews. To avoid encountering fake sites or phishing web pages consider using a comprehensive security solution like Kaspersky Premium. To ensure advanced protection against increasingly complex cyber threats, Kaspersky actively amplifies its consumer solutions with AI-powered scam protection – a unified suite of technologies that combines machine learning-based anti-phishing algorithms, real-time behavior monitoring, accompanied by Data Leak and Identity Theft checkers.
· Create a different password for each learning platform or service. To generate unique and complex passwords use Kaspersky Password Generator and securely store your credentials in Kaspersky Password Manager.
· Prioritize your learning activities. Use "Focus mode" to minimize information overload and finish your work faster.
· Take regular breaks. Spend 10 minutes every hour completely away from screens to recharge your focus.
· Trust, but verify. Check digital learning materials against reputable sources to ensure you aren't consuming inaccurate information. Don't trust the first source you find and check everything the AI provides you.
*The study was conducted by Kaspersky's market research center in August 2026. 1,864 respondents aged 18–65 who participated in education with a dedicated plan in an online or hybrid format within the past 12 months, from 18 countries (Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam), took part in the survey.
