Cyber/Digital Literacy

"Cyber literacy" is best defined as understanding where to go on the Internet to find reliable and correct information. It focuses on assisting students in locating relevant resources and avoiding inaccuracies.

Digital literacy is the ability to live, learn, and work in a society where communication and information access are increasingly facilitated by digital technologies such as the Internet, social media, and mobile devices.

Why is Digital Literacy Important?

1. Supports Educational Progress

2. Increases Online Safety

3. Helps Students Understand Digital Responsibility

4. Improves Social Opportunities

5. Improves Digital Equity

6. Supports Lifelong Skills

Digital Literacy Downsides

1. Over-reliance on Technology

Increased digital literacy can lead to excessive dependency on technology, reducing critical thinking and problem-solving skills in non-digital contexts.
Skills like handwriting, mental arithmetic, or face-to-face communication may decline.

2. Digital Divide

Those with limited access to technology or lacking digital literacy skills may face social and economic disadvantages, widening inequality.
The focus on digital literacy can unintentionally marginalize older generations or underserved communities.

3. Information Overload

High digital literacy may lead to overexposure to information, making it difficult to process and prioritize what’s important.
This can result in stress, decision fatigue, and reduced productivity.

4. Privacy and Security Risks

As people engage more in the digital world, they expose themselves to potential cybersecurity threats like hacking, identity theft, and scams.
Overconfidence in digital literacy might lead to underestimating these risks.

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