How to Help Children Develop Digital Literacy

As the world faces significant challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, technology is among the vital things that support our progress and well-being. It provides tools for our communication, education, and work. Yet, it also means that people have to spend much more time online, which can cause certain risks, especially for the youngest users. Indeed, children are likely to be more susceptible to the dangers of the online world. This underlines the need to teach children digital literacy from an early age.

What Is Digital Literacy?

“Digital literacy” has already become a buzzword in education and child care. Let’s determine what it means, using a definition suggested by the American Library Association:

Digital literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.

Digital literacy is a multifaceted term. It encompasses a set of skills and approaches that allow the safe and appropriate use of technology. Digital literacy involves different contexts and purposes, going beyond the basic ability to navigate the internet. It includes the concepts of ethics, security, and content creation that give a person an in-depth understanding of technology.

Besides, digital literacy provides foundational skills that will be useful for any person in the 21st century. Therefore, parents, teachers, and childcare providers should put some extra effort into helping kids acquire it. Digital literacy will help children navigate various types of media and evaluate what they see critically. It is also useful for managing screen time and being aware of a digital footprint. In the long run, the combined benefits of digital literacy prepare children for success in education and work.

5 Steps to Digital Literacy

Digital literacy has become increasingly important today when technologies surround children everywhere. Alongside undeniable benefits, a digital world brings dangers, including inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and security issues. The key here is to teach children to manage these risks and become responsible digital citizens. Here are five main areas of digital literacy to focus on.

1. Internet Safety

Digital literacy starts with internet safety. Kids should understand the importance of digital footprints. Anything shared online stays there forever. Even if a person deletes a photo or video, it does not mean that other users have not made a copy of it to use for their own purposes. We have no control over the things we share once they are out there.

Besides, children often disclose way too much information on social media. Intentionally or not, they might share their personal data, including locations, birthday dates, interests, friends’ names, phone numbers, addresses, etc. Parents and teachers should remind kids to be cautious about their personal data. When such information is public, it might be misused.

Parents can help their children set privacy settings on social media accounts. Most platforms allow limiting the circle of people who can see one’s posts or private information. Additionally, adults should explain the importance of having a strong password to children. If necessary, they can offer guidance or even help them to create one.

2. Exploration

Digital literacy provides valuable skills and technological competence. Children learn how to access, manage, and create information online. This will make it easier for them to live in a continuously changing digital world. Therefore, it is vital to let kids experiment with digital tools and explore their functionality. The role of a parent here is to support learning, considering sensible screen-time limits.

There are plenty of online apps and tools that can help children learn. For example, they can find flashcard apps to prepare for a test. An online essay writing service will come in handy if they need some help with a paper. The youngest will benefit from educational games, which are great to spark interest and support early learning.

3. Content Creation

Internet users do not only consume content, they create it as well. Children write emails, post their photos, and even create their own blogs. It is important to teach kids to be responsible and respectful, creating and sharing digital content of any format.

Set the main rule: think before posting. Predicting possible reactions to messages or posts can help to avoid conflicts. Children should understand that they are responsible for the things they create. Warn them that inappropriate behavior might have consequences.

Children should also respect intellectual property. It means that illegal file downloading and sharing are to be avoided. This involves songs, movies, books, photos, and any other content that belongs to someone else. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge the work of other people and give them proper credit.

4. Communication

Online communication is one of the pillars of digital literacy. Children get to collaborate and interact with others, improving their soft skills. Online communication is regulated by the same norms and rules as in-person communication. Its core is mutual respect.

Children should know that even if they post something anonymously, it is crucial to stay polite and considerate. The value of the internet is in its freedom of expression, but it should also be a safe place for everyone. Effective online communication is about accepting the ideas of other people even if they are different from ours. Writing mean comments or supporting such behavior is inappropriate and rude.

Unfortunately, cyberbullying is a common problem. UNICEF poll shows that one in three children has experienced it at some point. Kids should know how to handle such incidents and who to refer to if they experience any kind of harassment or bullying online. If you know that someone is being bullied, take action and report the incident immediately.

5. Spotting Fake News

As content creation cannot be limited, it means that some sources cannot be trusted or taken seriously. Being digitally literate involves questioning and evaluating information found online. It is a difficult task even for adults with a mature critical mindset, let alone children.

Parents and people who work with kids should teach them how to spot misinformation and discern trustworthy news from fake. The easiest way to do it is to show examples. You can even try games like “The Fake News Detective.” Discuss what makes a source reliable and how to examine evidence reported in a piece. Focus on the following questions:

• Who is the author?
• Who benefits from the message reflected in the piece?
• Are there any other sources reporting the same information?
• Is the information too good to be true?

In Sum

We should promote digital literacy at home and in the classroom. It empowers children to use technology responsibly, reaping all its benefits. The key is to encourage open conversations and set good examples. Most importantly, kids should feel safe talking to their parents or other trusted adults when they are not sure how to behave or react to the things they encounter online. It will prevent any issues.