Modeling the Impact of Perceived Security and Privacy on Student Adoption of Mobile Learning Applications Beyond Functionality

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Author(s)

Arome J. Gabriel 1 Akindeji Ibrahim Makinde 2,* Peter A. Aborisade 3

1. Federal University of Technology, Akure/ Department of Cyber Security, Ondo State, Nigeria

2. Federal University of Technology, Akure/ Department of Information Systems, Ondo State, Nigeria

3. Federal University of Technology, Akure/ Institute of Technology-Enhanced Learning and Digital Humanities, Ondo

* Corresponding author.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijwmt.2026.03.14

Received: 19 Jan. 2026 / Revised: 14 Mar. 2026 / Accepted: 9 May 2026 / Published: 8 Jun. 2026

Index Terms

Mobile-learning adoption, privacy-security nexus, trust-mediated model, meta-analytic SEM, educational technology

Abstract

Mobile devices have played a crucial role in enhancing education but students' concerns about security and privacy may act as a barrier to their engagement with mobile learning apps. We quantified how perceived security, privacy, risk and trust shape student adoption beyond TAM constructs. PRISMA-guided systematic review identified 34 studies from six databases. Random-effects meta-analysis pooled 28 correlations and a two-stage MASEM tested an integrated model. The results show that perceived security risk significantly diminishes student trust (β = -0.24) and the perceived usefulness of an app (β = -0.18). The trust strongly boosts both usefulness (β = 0.32) and positive attitudes (β = 0.29). The usefulness and attitude factors fully mediate the effect on a student's intention to use the app, explaining 79% of the variance (R² = 0.79). The trust is the linchpin for adoption. Security and privacy are not backend technicalities but frontend determinants that shape a student's initial decision to engage with mobile learning tools.

Cite This Paper

Arome J. Gabriel, Akindeji I. Makinde, Peter A. Aborisade, "Modeling the Impact of Perceived Security and Privacy on Student Adoption of Mobile Learning Applications Beyond Functionality", International Journal of Wireless and Microwave Technologies(IJWMT), Vol.16, No.3, pp. 209-220, 2026. DOI:10.5815/ijwmt.2026.03.14

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