Digital technology has evolved significantly in the past couple of decades. This evolution of digital technology has changed the way we interact with our surroundings or perform daily life tasks. Tasks like shopping, making payments, sending emails, and communicating with someone have changed completely thanks to technology.
The developments in the field of technology and the Internet have spread to almost every corner of the world. Basic tasks like payments, communication, and shopping require us to be aware of the digital world.
"Digital literacy, in simple terms, means understanding the use of digital technologies and devices to fulfill our basic everyday needs."
Digital devices are everywhere. Apart from this, almost everyone owns a smartphone nowadays. If you know how to use a smartphone to get various things done, you are considered digitally literate. In a country like India where internet penetration is increasing with every passing day, digital literacy is very important.
1. An Important Life Skill
Digital literacy is now an important life skill that people need to deal with the challenges they face every day. Whether you are a student, teacher, businessman, or senior citizen, in order to cope with the technology of today, you will have to be digitally literate.
A digitally literate person doesn’t face any sort of problem dealing with everyday activities such as watching the news, buying something from the internet, using electronic gadgets, and using online payments. There was a time when it used to be an option, but now it has become the demand of the time.
2. Students Need It
Those days are long past when learning was limited to textbooks and classrooms only. There is so much information and learning material available on the internet that students can access required information any time they want to get a better understanding.
To be able to access study materials, students should be digitally literate. They should know how to set up their internet network, how to use search engines, and how to access educational portals safely. This technology also helps students become more efficient by helping them with assignments and removing communication barriers between students and teachers.
3. Important for Internet Safety
Digital literacy is also important to stay safe on the internet. The internet is helpful in many ways but has its associated risks, especially for the younger generation. Although the young generation knows how to use digital gadgets, they aren’t very considerate and careful about their digital safety.
On the internet, you can easily become a target for cybercriminals. By having appropriate knowledge about the internet, configuration protocols (like accessing gateway routers), and safety precautions, users of all ages can protect their private information.
4. Requirement for Employment
Digital skills are also important for employment. Nowadays, wherever you apply for a job, your employers expect you to have digital skills. It has become a requirement worldwide since most operations are now completed using computers.
When hiring, employers now look for candidates who are digitally literate and tech-savvy. Having a strong, professional presence on the internet is considered a significant asset when applying for competitive roles.
5. Important for Communication
Digital literacy is required for communication in our modern world. Gone are the days of landlines; this is the era of email and instant messengers like WhatsApp. To be able to use these modern modes of communication and stay in touch with loved ones, digital literacy is essential.