Digital Literacy

           It is shocking that the topic of digital literacy is an unfamiliar subject matter for many people around the world. In this day and age, it appears that technology rules most areas on the globe, but if the meaning of digital literacy is often perceived as an exotic phrase, is this more assumption than fact? In my opinion, digital literacy is having the ability to understand and navigate through a computer or other technological devices with ease. Being a digitally literate member of society means that you can maneuver yourself around Interweb sources and you are able to locate, evaluate, use, and create information in a digital environment. I believe that I am digitally literate since I have grown up around various means of technology and have been using computers and phones since I knew how to talk. I can effortlessly locate direct information from various Internet sources, and I am an experienced and proficient user of a wide range of programs that digital technology has to offer. I use digital technology in order to complete everyday tasks such as homework assignments, communicating with others, and playing games. Doing these activities would be nearly impossible if I was not a digitally literate citizen. Being able to manipulate technology to my favor has made life in the 21^st century significantly simpler.

            I know that being aware of how to use technology has helped me become a responsible digital citizen, but I’m not the only member of society that this awareness has benefited. Understanding everything that technology has to offer has helped my friends, classmates, and family to become conscientious digital citizens also. Developing knowledge, values, and critical thinking skills in a digital environment have been superbly beneficial to establishing an accountable digital profile for every digitally literate person I know. For example, researching topics on the Internet has allowed me to see appropriate and inappropriate websites that may or may not have reliable or proper information. Seeing the various different ways that people have used technology, and understanding that not all of them are acceptable or reliable, has absolutely helped me evolve the skills I needed to become a responsible digital citizen. Furthermore, knowing the terms associated with digital literacy can help people to become effective digital citizens. These related words, such as digital access and digital etiquette, can help you further your understanding about digital technology as a whole, thus helping you gain substantial information about who uses technology and how you should use it.

            A piece of information that I have learned about digital literacy that has impacted me is that being digitally literate is more than just being “computer savvy”. Prior to hearing this, I assumed that anyone who knew how to work their way around the technical aspect of a computer could be considered digitally literate. However, I am now aware that in order to be digitally literate, you must be able to comprehend and evaluate information that you have come across via digital technology. Also, having the ability to make high-quality decisions about whether what you come across is reliable or not is a vital aspect to being digitally literate. Now that I am up to date about the true meaning of digital literacy, I can understand my part in the matter.