Digital Literacy is a Must in a Digital World
Digital literacy means being able to use technology in a safe and responsible way. This includes recognizing misinformation, understanding best internet practices, protecting our data, and much more.
Digital literacy must be integrated into all levels of education, from kindergarten through the adult education and workforce system.
Problem
Our dependence on technology, especially during COVID-19, is at a high. Though more people use computers for work now than ever before, society lacks the needed support in digital literacy. Black adults are twice as likely to be digitally illiterate than their white counterparts. 41% of adults without a high school diploma are digitally illiterate. Immigrant communities struggle with digital literacy at higher rates as well.
Our Plan
Programs to increase digital literacy must be driven by an equitable, community-based approach in order to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.
Pass the Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Act to award grants to state and local educational agencies to promote digital literacy.
Supplement existing school digital literacy programs.
Integrate mandatory digital literacy curriculums in K-12 education that develop technology skills like recognizing copyrights and plagiarism, understanding how to access and filter information online, and understanding social responsibility on media platforms.
Offer these curriculums to parents as a way for them to guide their children and potentially fill gaps in their own knowledge.
Create public programs catered to adults that support digital literacy education.
Ensure that local communities are utilizing allocated budgets to provide public programs through both online and in-person public services.
Support community-wide digital literacy initiatives.
Offer grants for community services such as libraries, who have a platform for promoting awareness of digital literacy and best practices.
Mandate that all social media, news, and information services provide digital literacy and safety guidelines for their consumers. This would include resources on subjects like internet etiquette, spotting fake news and misinformation, or protection of private data.
This Matters
Digital technology has moved from being a luxury to a household staple. It is imperative that no one is left behind as digital technology continues to evolve. Access to digital literacy education is currently inadequate and must be expanded so that students, adults, and anyone with limited technological knowledge can learn the tools for effective digital use.