Today, technology permeates every aspect of our lives. With the recent developments in AI and the rise of deepfakes and fake news, critical digital literacy is more essential than ever before to prepare young people for the challenges of the wider world.
But what does it mean to be digitally literate? Digital literacy is not just about having a technical understanding of how to use digital tools. It requires the development of critical thinking skills - the ability to be a critical consumer of information by questioning sources and discerning reliable content. Digital literacy also requires an understanding of the standards of behaviour expected online, as well an awareness of the social issues created by technology.
According the government's
Online Media Literacy Strategy, empowering young people with the skills to thrive in the digital world is key, but, as technology changes and younger generations become more and more social media-savvy, it isn't always easy to engage students with digital literacy in an impactful and relevant way.
