43 The Importance of Digital Literacy: an Investigation into the Vulnerable Populations of Teenagers and Seniors

Faculty Mentor: Allison Segal (Writing & Rhetoric, University of Utah, Asia Campus)

Most people are familiar with issues surrounding literacy, particularly about children. However, few individuals are knowledgeable about digital literacy and the vulnerable populations that struggle with it. Digital literacy means competency appropriate for individuals to live, learn, and work in a digital society (Brown, n.d.). In 1997, when historian and educator Paul Gilster developed the phrase, he stated that digital literacy is the ability to realize and apply figures in a variety of formats from a diversity of sources when conveyed via computer. In the 21st century, with the commercialization of digital devices such as computers and smartphones, the ability to utilize digital technology has become increasingly important. Many people use them, but only a few completely understand and use digital media properly. It is important to keep in mind that digital literacy is not just about knowing how to use digital tools but also about understanding its impact on our lives. Cyberbullying through social media is becoming rampant among youth, and long-term media exposure is leading to social media addiction and its negative side effects. On top of that, the digital divide is occurring as older people, often categorized by research as 65 years old and older are unable to adapt to the rapidly developing digital society, and cases of misinformation being passed on through the media are also increasing (Brown, n.d.). Therefore, this paper will explore two populations, teenagers and seniors struggling with digital literacy, by assessing their distinct needs and proposing targeted solutions using digital literacy education.

Initially, the youth’s lack of digital literacy causes some serious problems and cyberbullying has emerged as a prevalent issue among teenagers in the digital age, posing significant challenges to their mental health and well-being. Cyberbullying is when someone uses an electronic gadget to harass, threaten, or coerce someone else (Lickteig, 2020). According to Beverly Lickteig of the Lapeer County Child Advocacy Center (2020), one key characteristic of cyberbullying is when abusers remain anonymous by hiding their identity on social media, which can cause long-term suffering to victims. In addition, the accessibility of social media and the persistence of posts can have a permanent negative impact on victims. Harassing others using anonymity as a weapon becomes a more complex problem because it is difficult to identify and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. A lack of digital literacy ability and knowledge of digital etiquette leads to unethical behavior, which causes severe trauma and mental health issues for victims. Digging into this issue, statistics show how serious a problem it has become. 67% of 18–29-year-olds have been the target of cyberbullying, with 42% of them receiving insulting language via text message (Bouchrika, 2024). Additionally, 77% of survey respondents said that Facebook is where this cyberbullying occurs most, followed by X (formerly called Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram respectively. The fact that cyberbullying is occurring on several social network platforms means that social media poses a great influence on teenagers, and cyberbullying statistics show that digital ethics are not being properly practiced. Although social media is a channel to communicate with many people, it is also a poison that can lead to cyberbullying. To help prevent cyberbullying, education is needed to teach teenagers how to use social media properly and to develop ethical digital citizenship in society.

Another issue plaguing teenagers is the excessive use of social media. Excessive use of social media by teenagers is causing side effects including addiction and mental health problems such as depression, which shows the need for digital literacy education. Common Sense Media reports show that social media addiction among adolescents has been linked to increased depression and decreased life satisfaction (Pantic, 2014). A CNN investigation (2014) finds that the relationship between 13-year-olds and social media, individuals who checked the site 50–100 times a day experienced 37% higher levels of anguish than those who visited a few times a day. As such, social media addiction is harming the mental health of teenagers, and this can be seen as being caused by their failure to learn how to use social media properly. Contrary to this report, Sexton (2021) asserts that other research employing longitudinal techniques has not discovered any proof linking excessive social media usage to melancholy, anxiety, or low self-esteem. However, scientists have discovered that excessive use of social media in particular, and technology in general produces a pattern of stimulation resembling that of other addictive habits (Pantic, 2014). A review of research published in the journal “Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking” found that the abrupt discontinuation of some long-term users of online social networking may trigger symptoms and indicators like those of nicotine or drug withdrawal syndrome (Pantic, 2014). This result illustrates that failure to refrain from overusing social media can lead to addiction, serious disorders such as depression and ADHD, and mental health problems. It is not a problem with social media itself, but rather a problem caused by young people’s inability to use social media appropriately and beneficially. As the digital society accelerates, it is necessary to provide relevant digital literacy education to youth so that they can use social media properly to prevent problems of addiction and side effects.

Digital literacy is also necessary for older people, and behind this is the problem of the digital divide, which is a barrier to older people accessing and participating in digital media. As modern society becomes increasingly dependent on digital technologies, older generations find it difficult to enjoy the benefits of digital connectivity. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Institute’s data shows one in four people aged 65 and older do not use the internet, and more than 35% do not have a home broadband connection (IEEE, n.d.). This result shows that older people might miss out on the benefits of easy access to information and connections. The social exclusion of older people from the digital society can be directly related to mental health problems such as depression, and the generation gap makes them distant from their families and thus isolated, which has a negative impact on their well-being in old age. Another reason for the deepening digital divide is the lack of digital infrastructure. A study by a group from the Department of Information and Communication Sciences at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) (2024) shows that in cities with more than 50,000 residents, the Internet access figure is close to 100%, but in villages with less than 1,000 residents, digital access decreases depending on the population, reaching only 26%. There appears to be a tendency to build digital infrastructure only in cities with large populations, and it is difficult to access digital tools in some outlying cities where the elderly are concentrated, which shows that the digital gap is deepening by region. By building digital infrastructure to bridge the fundamental digital divide and providing digital literacy education for the elderly, a positive effect of gradually reducing the sense of isolation and alienation among the old generation can be expected. These changes would increase elderly happiness leading to better mental health and increased life expectancy.

Another difficulty that older people face in the digital society is that they are vulnerable to online misinformation and fake news. An examination of older people’s X (formerly called Twitter) users’ feeds during the 2016 US presidential election showed that they contained the highest amount of false news, with older Facebook users seven times more likely to post links to websites of fake news than youthful users (Brashier & Schacter, 2020). For example, one photo showed Hillary Clinton with a man holding a ballot drop box with the ‘ballot box’ label intentionally removed, leading to the spread of misinformation that she stole the votes. It is stated that since they have trouble telling the difference between actual and fake photographs and identifying information, elderly generations are more prone to trust fraudulent material. Failure to identify such misinformation can have negative effects on older adults by leading them to believe financial scams or false advertisements. However, Adams (2022) claims that as we get older, our knowledge base broadens and we have more life experiences, which allows us to filter and contextualize information processing. Indeed, not all older adults have trouble identifying fake news, but several studies have shown that when young and older adults listen to recordings of people accurately expressing their thoughts or telling lies, younger adults are better at identifying lies than older adults (Brashier & Schacter, 2020). The digital divide makes it difficult for older people who are not digitally literate to identify fake photos and news created by highly advanced AI. Because young people often grow up in a digital society, they are less likely to accept false information than older people. That is why we need to teach digital literacy so that older people can use digital tools correctly by filtering out fake news and misinformation. So, that they have the option of being politically aware and involved.

To solve the problems mentioned above, customized digital literacy education must be provided to each generation. However, the type of digital literacy education needs to be customized for each demographic. Teenagers in particular need education to equip them with the critical thinking skills and digital ethics etiquette needed to use and navigate online content responsibly. First of all, educating digital etiquette can solve cyberbullying which is one of the problems with youth media use (StopBullying.gov, 2018). One way is to conduct discussions by role-modeling tolerant behavior and respect for others. This includes refraining from posting information that is harmful, malicious, or offensive. Another approach is to educate young people about the permanency of material shared online, how it might damage their online reputation, and the potential bad effects. Teaching digital citizenship skills, such as internet safety and etiquette, is a major responsibility of parents and educators. Digital etiquette education can solve cyberbullying, but it is also a great help in inner growth because it helps young people have the right mindset and learn how to communicate without causing harm to others. In addition, measures are being developed to address social media addiction. Youth will learn the warning signs and potential side effects of problematic social media use, and they’ll also learn how to safely talk about their mental health online to prevent the negative effects of social media addiction (American Psychological Association, 2023). This digital literacy education teaches youth how to use social media in balanced, safe, and meaningful ways. If parents and teachers educate students on how to use social media correctly, students will also have accurate background knowledge about media and be able to control their digital media usage time themselves and acquire correct information. Implementing this kind of digital literacy education is essential because it will enable youth to be a responsible digital citizen and teach them how to use considerate communication with others on digital media and beneficially use social media.

Following customized education for youth, the digital divide among the older generations can be eliminated and their ability to identify misinformation can increase by providing effective media usage training to help older people become familiar with and use digital tools correctly. Currently, various organizations offer free workshops to help seniors improve their digital literacy skills (OlyCap, n.d.). In addition to providing seniors 60 years of age and older with free computer lessons and technology assistance through its Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) and Senior Planet programs, AARP TEK Academy delivers technology learning events via tablets or smartphones in several cities around the United States. GCFLearnFree, supported by the Goodwill Community Foundation, is free and offers over 2,000 lessons on how to use Microsoft programs, email, social media, image editing programs, and more. For seniors, these free classes and technical support have a positive impact as they become familiar with and interested in digital devices and communicate more frequently with their families so that they reduce their isolation. Additionally, programs are emerging to help older adults identify online misinformation (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, 2022). Freshrb, a British social enterprise, said it would develop its podcast exploring online disinformation and misinformation and broadcast it on local radio. NewsGuard also collaborates with senior-focused nonprofits to implement programs that help older people strengthen their abilities in detecting internet disinformation. These programs help older adults avoid financial loss or poor health due to financial scams and incorrect health information. It will not be easy for the elderly to adapt to the digital world in a short period, but with continued help from the government or organizations, they will be able to lead a convenient and beneficial digital life. Digital literacy education and programs must be implemented for the mental health and happiness of older people.

Digital literacy education has a positive impact on teenagers and seniors such as getting a good job or solving health problems. The trends and predictions of digital literacy in 2024 are that digital literacy will no longer be limited to computer science or IT-related fields but will become a basic skill required in fields such as healthcare, finance, and art (Parvez, 2024). In particular, digital literacy is having a big impact on the medical and media industries. The medical industry needs professionals with strong digital literacy skills to access and analyze patient data and utilize telehealth technologies. Furthermore, as streaming platforms, social media, and digital content creation become the norm in the media industry, digitally literate individuals can create and consume media in innovative ways. Youth who receive digital literacy education can choose career paths not only in the IT field but also in various industries. Also, many companies are showing a preference for people with digital literacy skills, which has a positive impact on people who are looking for jobs. In addition to positive future employment prospects for young people, research has shown that digital literacy is helpful for mental health among the elderly. A study found a positive correlation between digital skills and the ability to communicate with a doctor (Thomas, 2023). By becoming familiar with the digital tools they need, older adults can better understand their health status and make informed decisions about their care. Access to online resources provides lifelong learning opportunities, making it easier for older adults to engage in cognitive activities that can help maintain mental acuity. A case study on using social networks with linear navigation to teach digital literacy to older adults showed that these platforms can help reduce isolation and loneliness among older adults living in rural areas. Getting older people familiar with digital devices not only helps with their mental health but can also be expected to help bridge the generation gap by communicating with younger people. Continued implementation of digital literacy education can have a positive impact on the future of youth and seniors and create a healthy digital society.

Digital literacy is an important means of solving various problems that students and seniors are currently experiencing in a digital society. Although digital technology continues to develop, it is like a double-edged sword and has many side effects. The negative effects of cyberbullying, which harms others who exist on social media, and excessive long-term use of media can cause mental health deterioration such as addiction and depression. The digital divide has made it difficult for older people to communicate digitally with family and friends, and they are suffering from misinformation such as fake news in the media. Effective digital literacy education teaches students digital etiquette and how to use social media properly, empowering them to think critically and take ethical action. Additionally, this education provides free training to older people on how to use digital devices and produce relevant media. Continuous digital literacy education has a positive impact by creating jobs in various industries, increasing career options for young people, and greatly helping older people’s mental health through communication using digital devices. Digital literacy, which enables both youth and older people to use digital tools properly and develop good digital citizenship, is an important education in modern society. By highlighting the importance of digital literacy education, we can provide youth and elders with confidence and resilience to face the challenges of the digital age. This will help create a more inclusive and empowered society for future generations.

References

Adams, B. (2022, May 2). Aging and fake news: It’s not the story you think it is. University of Florida. https://news.ufl.edu/2022/05/aging-adults-fake-news/

American Psychological Association. (2023, May). Health advisory on social media use in adolescence. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent- social-media-use

Bouchrika, I. (2024, February 8). Teenage Cyberbullying Statistics: Prevalence & Impact of Social Media. Research.com. https://research.com/education/teenage-cyberbullying-statistics

Brashier, N. M., & Schacter, D. L. (2020). Aging in an era of fake news. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 29(3), 316–323. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721420915872

Brown, C. (n.d.). Chapter 1: Introduction to Digital Literacy. in M. Schwartz (Eds.), Digital Citizenship Toolkit. Pressbooks. https://pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca/digcit/chapter/chapter-1/

Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. (2022, October 28). Help for vulnerable people to spot disinformation and boost online safety [Press release]. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/help-for-vulnerable-people-to-spot-disinformation-and-boost-online-safety

IEEE. (n.d.). The elderly digital divide: age is just a number, and so is your smartphone password. https://ctu.ieee.org/the-elderly-digital-divide-age-is-just-a-number-and-so-is-your-smartphone-password/

Lickteig, B. (2020, November 2). Social media: cyberbullying, body shaming, and trauma – The Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County. The Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County. https://caclapeer.org/social-media-cyberbullying-body-shaming-and-trauma/