Digital Literacy

What is Digital Literacy? Digital literacy is the ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate and create information using a variety of digital technologies. To me, it means I am able to do recreational fun things on the internet, and use technologies such as tablets, phones, and iPods, to my advantage. I often use them to look up information for educational purposes, and to look up how to do things. Knowing how to use different technologies can definitely help me, my families, and friends, become responsible digital citizens. People that understand technology at a comfortable level will be more likely to partake in using it. Once you get the hang of it you will want to partake in surveys, polls, games, videos, and keep up to date on current events happening now! To be a responsible digital citizen you have to use proper, polite etiquette. Even if you don’t necessarily agree with a certain topic, or don’t like a certain person or business, etc. don’t be inappropriate and make a scene, or post nasty or hurtful things online. That can turn into legal matters and be considered cyber bullying. One important piece of digital literacy that I learned and will be more cautious of, is security. Some people don’t even think twice before posting their entire life story on the web, and give no thought to the information being put up. Things as little as you’re full name, phone number, or especially your address can be so dangerous if given to the wrong person. Many websites offer privacy settings for everyone to use, and its highly recommended to adjust them to your own comfort level. A good rule of thumb is to never post or upload anything that you wouldn’t want the whole world to see, because once it’s out there, it’s out there, and it always will be, even if you can’t see it. Being digitally literate can sometimes be challenging, due to the way some people talk and abbreviate things. Usually referred to “text talk” saying things such as brb (be right back) and ttyl (talk to you later) can really throw some people off. So don’t feel bad if you don’t get the hang of it right away! People make new abbreviations for things almost every day. And you’ll soon be savvy in the ways of understanding and fully using being able to use various technologies.