Cyber Chronix: A Participatory Research Approach to Develop and Evaluate a Storytelling Game

Cyber Chronix is a serious game developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre to improve digital literacy and raise awareness regarding the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The project utilizes a branching digital comic strip format to translate complex legal concepts—such as the right to be forgotten, data portability, and personal data breaches—into accessible, informal educational content. By integrating narrative storytelling with interactive quizzes and educational sheets, the game aims to empower young citizens to better manage their personal data and mitigate privacy risks in digital environments.

The development process followed a participatory research model, involving collaboration between researchers, privacy experts, and educators to ensure the content remained accurate while remaining engaging for a younger audience. The game’s evaluation occurred in two distinct phases within Italy. A pilot study involved 22 university students, while a subsequent assessment engaged 39 students aged 12 to 15. Researchers utilized the Digital Competence Framework (DigComp) to measure the effectiveness of the game in enhancing information literacy, communication, and safety skills.

Findings indicate that the game successfully fosters emotional engagement and narrative presence, with the majority of participants reporting that the characters and story elements were clear and compelling. While the educational components were generally well-received, the feedback highlighted the importance of tailoring the complexity of legal explanations to specific age groups. Currently available in eight languages, the game serves as a versatile tool for both individual learning and community-based educational sessions. Future research aims to expand testing to broader, cross-national samples and explore the efficacy of different formats, including potential paper-based versions.