Digital Literacy in a Digital Age

While one may view that it takes a healthy amount of media literacy in order to survive in today’s society, that may not always be the case. Some elderly and people living in rural areas can survive quite well using the simpler, older technologies. But to truly thrive in today’s society, as well as stay “in the loop,” one needs some form of media literacy. Knowing basic computer and Internet skills is comparable to knowing how to drive a car, in that you are able to drive a car without knowing how all the internal parts work. It is important to know how to drive a car in some societies, though it is possible to survive without it. If you know how your car works, it makes it easier to fix a problem without the use of external help. Metaphors aside, knowing how to use a computer allows a person to connect themselves with the outside world. Most jobs also require some interaction with a computer, whether through email or normal day-to-day activities. Cell phones are also an important item to master, since most calls are done through them in modern times. In 2007, over 250 million Americans subscribed to a cell phone service, which is roughly 82% of the population (Gearlog). Through the Internet and cell phones, we are conveniently connected to one another by a quick push of a button. Anyone not connected to this extensive network gets left out of the culture, and will potentially miss out on important information that cannot be conveyed through TV or radio. Credibility is much easier to check on the Internet, where there is a vast amount of information sources, allowing one to compare stories within mere minutes (Trampiets). In sum, society changes to fit the new technology, and it is quite beneficial to keep up, though perhaps not biologically necessary as of yet.

Trampiets, Fran. “Ask an expert: The importance of media literacy.” CNN Archives Online. 6 October 2009

“U.S. Cell-phone Penetration Tops 82 Percent.” GEARlog. 6 October 2009