The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and heightened our dependence upon digital technology like never before. Although most people are spending more time on screens, teens are susceptible to finding themselves in dangerous situations online as we cannot assume that they have fully developed digital literacy skills.
What is digital literacy?
Digital literacy involves both the critical consumption and production of online content. Both components involve knowing the “how” and “why” of tech. For example, when searching to follow her favourite athlete on Instagram, your teen needs to understand how to sign up for the tech, how to search for followers, and how to discern real from fake accounts. Similarly, if she wanted to create her own post of a soccer video she made, she would have to know how to use the camera feature or how to upload content, who to tag, which hashtags to use, etc. This all involves the “how” of tech.
The harder part, as you can imagine, is to teach the “why” of tech, which involves critical thinking, reflection, and purposeful use of technology. These are not easy skills to teach, but they are essential skills for personal and professional success in the 21st Century.
How can you teach digital literacy to your teen?
- Model: Parents, teachers, and coaches all play essential roles in adolescent development because of the model that they provide for youth. This remains true with regard to digital literacy. Use tech as you would want your teen to use tech. That is to say, set limits on screen time, set aside time for face to face communication, and be respectful and purposeful in online usage.
- Discuss: Keep the conversation going. Because adolescents are often more knowledgeable about certain technologies than their parents, teachers, or grandparents, they become resident experts. Treat them as such and they will share details of their online use. This opens a discussion where you can ask questions about who uses certain platforms, what are the benefits, and what are the risks, among other topics.
- Learn more: Technology is ever-evolving and the rate at which it changes increases exponentially as time moves on. Keep informed on the latest social media platforms and learn more about digital citizenship. The more informed you are as an adult, the better you can model appropriate online behaviour and engage in conversation with your children or students.
Resources:
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- COMMON SENSE MEDIA: What is Digital Literacy? https://www.commonsensemedia.org/news-and-media-literacy/what-is-digital-literacy
- https://www.renaissance.com/2019/02/08/blog-digital-literacy-why-does-it-matter/
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