Understanding Digital Literacy and its Importance

By: Ishita Verma

Editors: Ishita Verma and Amisha Papneja

Digital Literacy refers to the “ability to find, evaluate, utilize, share, and create content using information technologies and the Internet”. In today’s digital world, most if not all careers require digital communication at some point. Therefore, it is crucial to equip our next generations’ students with the skills to effectively and responsibility find, evaluate, communicate, and share online content is key to their futures.

Students who are gaining digital literacy skills learn to become responsible content

creators in addition to content consumers. Digital learning involves the use of various technology platforms, such as computers, the internet, remotely, or a combination of all three.

In addition to the widespread use of technology in all fields, teaching digital literacy allows students to think critically, evaluate their work, and engage with others throughout the world.

Digital literacy is required by everyone even if everyone is not working in a technical job. Google has become an essential part of everyone’s life, whether it is searching for a favorite recipe or finding a groomer for your pet, you need to be aware of how to do it. Even if you are in a support job that is non-technical, you have to be aware of digital workplace tools for effective communication. You need to be careful about what you download on your cell phone and avoid downloading spyware on your cell phone. Your bank account details may be on your phone. Keeping a complex password for your secure accounts is fundamental to the security of accounts. You need to be sure that you are using a secure website for financial transactions. One should understand the importance of personal data and how it is stored so that they do not get caught in identity theft. All such day to day examples show that being digitally aware of hardware/software and the importance of data is essential for any common man.

In summary, the advancement of technology and the internet’s rising importance in our

society has made digital literacy a required skill for everyone. It is already an integral skill for

many jobs and that number will only rise within the coming years.

Sources:

https://www.theedadvocate.org/what-is-digital-literacy/#:~:text=Cornell%20University%20defines%20digital%20literacy,in%20an%20increasingly%20digital%20world