Digital Literacy
Digital literacy is the ability to effectively and responsibly use digital tools, technologies, and online resources. It goes beyond basic computer skills, encompassing a wide range of competencies necessary to navigate, create, evaluate, and communicate in the digital world.
One of the key components of digital literacy is knowing and understanding how technology impacts us, and our children.
Medicine Hat Catholic Schools believe that teaching digital literacy to both parents and children is crucial for empowering them to navigate the digital world responsibly, safely, and effectively.
For children, it fosters safety by helping them recognize risks while teaching them to protect personal information. It develops critical thinking skills to evaluate information and identify misinformation, encourages responsible online behavior, and promotes mental well-being by addressing the effects of screen time and social media and how to find balance in this online world. It also prepares them for future opportunities by building essential digital skills.
For parents, digital literacy enables effective guidance and supervision, raises awareness of online risks, and allows them to model healthy digital habits. It bridges the generational technology gap, fostering communication and collaboration, and equips parents to engage in meaningful discussions about online safety, privacy, and ethics. Together, these efforts create a safer and more informed digital community.
Here are some helpful tools and resources from the Digital Wellness Coalition: