Technology is changing at a rapid pace so digital literacy will be important throughout your lifetime. Be sure to know how to keep their digital footprints positive and stay safe online.

What is digital literacy?

Literacy is the ability to make sense of something such as being able to read and write. 

Digital Literacy is about being able to make sense of digital media.  Are you able to evaluate the information that you find on the internet and use it appropriately?  Are you able to evaluate the apps on your phone, the information you obtain from video games or from other sources? Are you allowing others to obtain your information and misuse it (which can create problems for you later)?

Here are some key digital-literacy skills you need to learn. The information that follows is taken from the Common Sense Media website:

  • Searching effectively. From researching a school report to watching the latest music video, you need to learn how to evaluate the quality, credibility, and validity of media and to give proper credit to the source. 
  • Protecting their and others' private information online. With so many ways to share information, you need to learn internet safety basics, such as creating strong passwords, using privacy settings, and respecting your friends' privacy.
    see more about basics
  • Giving proper credit when using other people's work.In a world where anything can be copied, pasted, and even claimed as one's own, it's critical that you learn to correctly cite sources.
  • Understanding digital footprints.What makes digital media so cool -- the ability to interact -- also creates tiny tracks across the web. You need to know that whenever they create a profile, post something, or comment on something, they're creating a composite profile potentially viewable by others.
  • Respecting each other's ideas and opinions.To be digitally literate, you must understand that what makes the web an amazing place is that for this vast virtual world to function properly, we must all be good digital citizens.

This is taken from the website Common Sense Media: 
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/news-and-media-literacy/what-is-digital-literacy

What is digital citizenship?

Digital citizenship refers to the way you conduct yourself online.  There are 6 rules of digital literacy. For more information, you can Heather Bowcutt article at the Mom's Choice Award website https://www.momschoiceawards.com/blog/6-rules-of-digital-citizenship-for-kids/

Think before you post

Six Rules of Digital Citizenship

  • Treat others with respect.
  • Do not steal other people's ideas.
  • Shop on secured sites.
  • Never give out personal information, including phone numbers, addresses, and "check-ins" on social media.
  • Social media is not a place to air drama- keep that for a journal.
    If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. 
  • Use the "Think" rule.
    This applies to both the digital and real-world.

Resources:

MediaSmarts:
https://mediasmarts.ca/digital-media-literacy/general-information/digital-media-literacy-fundamentals/digital-literacy-fundamentals

Common Sense Media:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/news-and-media-literacy/what-is-digital-literacy