Digital Literacy Skills to Succeed in Learning and Beyond | Yimin Yang | TEDxYouth@GrandviewHeights

TEDx Talks

9 Sept 202206:30

Summary

TLDRThe script addresses the importance of digital literacy for young 'digital natives' who navigate the internet with ease. It highlights the risks of networked digital media, such as personal information sharing and the permanence of online content, and the lack of control over the audience for shared information. The speaker emphasizes three key skills: using the internet responsibly, understanding and evaluating online content, and creating content thoughtfully. Digital literacy is presented as a critical skill for the 21st century, essential for safe and informed participation in the digital world.

Takeaways

🌐 Digital natives are comfortable with technology from a young age due to the pervasive digital culture.
🔍 The internet is a networked medium where producers can track consumers, potentially leading to privacy concerns.
🕵️‍♂️ Users should be aware that their online actions can be monitored and personal information shared without their knowledge.
📢 Digital media is searchable and shareable, meaning content posted online can be copied and spread easily, even if intended to be private.
👁️ The audience for digital media is unknown and unexpected; there's no control over who sees what is shared online.
📚 Digital literacy is essential in the 21st century, encompassing more than just using the internet—it includes understanding and creating content.
🔎 The ability to use the internet involves finding credible information sources and navigating devices, websites, and platforms.
🔒 Security and privacy are fundamental aspects of digital literacy; one must learn not to share personal information or click on suspicious links.
🧐 The ability to understand online content involves judging and evaluating information to discern facts from fake news or bias.
🤔 Balancing online and offline lives is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships and a balanced perception of the world.
🖌️ The ability to create content online is powerful; it's important to consider the impact of shared information on others.

Q & A

What is the term 'digital natives' referring to in the context of the script?
-The term 'digital natives' refers to young people who are comfortable with and adept at using digital technology from an early age, as they have grown up in a digital world.
Why might the use of digital media pose risks even without proper guidance?
-Digital media poses risks because it is networked, searchable, shareable, and has unknown and unexpected audiences, which can lead to the unintentional sharing of personal information and exposure to inappropriate content.
What does the script imply when it compares the internet to a theater?
-The script implies that while users can see the content on the internet, they cannot see who is behind the scenes tracking and collecting their data, which can be invasive and unsettling.
Why is it important to be cautious about what we post online?
-It is important because once something is posted online, it can be copied, shared, or spread easily, and even content meant to disappear can be stored and accessed by others.
What is digital literacy according to the script?
-Digital literacy is the ability to use, understand, and create content online safely and responsibly. It is a crucial skill in the 21st century, especially for young people.
What does the script suggest as the first skill of digital literacy?
-The first skill of digital literacy is the ability to use digital devices, websites, and media platforms effectively, which includes finding credible sources of information.
What does the script mean by the 'ability to understand' in the context of digital literacy?
-The 'ability to understand' refers to the skills needed to judge and evaluate online content, distinguishing between facts and fake news, and recognizing when information is influencing behavior and perception.
How does the script define the 'ability to create' in terms of digital literacy?
-The 'ability to create' involves creating content such as blogs and social media posts, with the awareness that what is posted can affect others and should be done thoughtfully.
What is the script's advice on how to be a competent digital citizen?
-The script advises being mindful of the risks associated with digital media, applying the skills of using, understanding, and creating content responsibly, and maintaining a balance between online and offline life.
What is the significance of the three skills mentioned in the script for becoming digitally literate?
-The three skills—using, understanding, and creating—are significant for accelerating learning and becoming digitally literate, enabling individuals to navigate the digital world competently and safely.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Understanding Digital Natives and Privacy Risks

This paragraph discusses the concept of 'digital natives' and the inherent risks associated with digital media. It emphasizes the two-way flow of information in digital media, where producers can track consumers' activities, creating a sense of surveillance. The speaker uses the analogy of a theater to illustrate the lack of privacy online, where users are visible to unseen entities. The paragraph also touches on the permanence of digital content, even when it appears to be temporary, and the lack of control over the audience for shared content. The importance of digital literacy is highlighted as a critical skill for navigating the digital world safely and responsibly.

05:01

📚 Developing Digital Literacy Skills

The second paragraph delves into the three key skills that constitute digital literacy: the ability to use, understand, and create content online. The speaker explains that using the internet involves more than just searching for information; it includes finding credible sources and maintaining security and privacy. Understanding involves evaluating the authenticity and impact of online content, which can influence behavior and perception. Lastly, creating content requires thoughtfulness, as it can affect others in various ways. The paragraph concludes by urging the audience to apply these skills to become competent digital citizens, mindful of the risks associated with digital media.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Digital Natives

Digital natives refer to individuals who have grown up with digital technology and are comfortable navigating the digital world. In the context of the video, it highlights how young people instinctively know how to use various devices and the internet, which is central to the theme of digital literacy and the need for proper guidance in this digital age.

💡Cyberspace

Cyberspace is the virtual environment created by computer networks, which includes the internet and other communication technologies. The script uses the term to emphasize the digital environment that young people are so adept at navigating, and it underscores the importance of understanding the risks and responsibilities associated with this space.

💡Digital Media

Digital media encompasses the various forms of communication and content accessed through digital channels, such as the internet, social media, and other online platforms. The video discusses how digital media is networked, searchable, and shareable, which are key aspects of digital literacy that viewers need to be aware of.

💡Networked

In the script, 'networked' describes the two-way flow of information in digital media, contrasting with traditional media like TV, which is one-way. This concept is crucial for understanding how personal information can be tracked and collected, emphasizing the need for digital literacy in privacy and security.

💡Personal Information

Personal information refers to any data that can be used to identify an individual, such as names, photos, and addresses. The video warns about the risks of unknowingly sharing such information online, which ties into the broader theme of digital literacy and the importance of being cautious with what we share in cyberspace.

💡Searchable and Shareable

The terms 'searchable' and 'shareable' highlight the permanence and accessibility of content posted online. The video uses these concepts to caution viewers that even content meant to disappear can be copied and stored, stressing the importance of being mindful of one's digital footprint.

💡Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the ability to use, understand, and create content online safely and effectively. The video defines it as a critical skill for the 21st century, especially for youth, and breaks it down into three skills: use, understand, and create, which are the core components of navigating the digital world responsibly.

💡Credible Sources

Credible sources are those that provide accurate and reliable information. The script mentions the importance of finding such sources when using the internet, which is a part of being digitally literate and discerning the validity of the information encountered online.

💡Fake News

Fake news refers to false information presented as news. The video discusses the ability to understand and evaluate online content, distinguishing between facts and fake news, which is a vital aspect of digital literacy in discerning truth from misinformation.

💡Online Relationship

An online relationship is a connection formed through digital communication. The script touches on understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy online relationships as part of digital literacy, emphasizing the importance of maintaining balance between online and offline life.

💡Digital Citizen

A digital citizen is someone who uses digital tools responsibly and contributes positively to the online community. The video concludes with the concept of being a competent digital citizen, which encompasses the three skills of digital literacy and the mindful application of these skills in the digital world.

Highlights

Young people are often called digital natives, indicating their innate comfort with digital technology.

Digital media is networked, allowing producers to know who is consuming their content, posing privacy risks.

The internet can be likened to a theater where consumers are visible to unseen producers.

Digital media is searchable and shareable, meaning posted content can be easily copied and spread.

Even disappearing photos or messages can be stored and are not truly private.

There's no control over the audience for content shared online, which can lead to unexpected consequences.

Digital literacy is crucial in the 21st century, especially for youth, encompassing more than just internet usage.

Digital literacy involves the ability to use, understand, and create online content responsibly.

Using the internet responsibly includes finding credible sources and maintaining security and privacy.

Understanding online content involves evaluating the credibility of information and avoiding misinformation.

Balancing online and offline life is important for maintaining a healthy relationship with digital media.

Creating online content requires thoughtfulness as it can affect people in various ways.

The three skills of digital literacy—use, understand, create—are essential for becoming a competent digital citizen.

Being mindful of the risks associated with digital media is key to responsible digital citizenship.

The importance of applying digital literacy skills to navigate the digital world safely and effectively.