Literacy has been a part of human life and development since ancient times, from prehistory to the modern era. In prehistoric times, humans only used natural signs for hunting and self-defense. Over the years, they began drawing symbols and images of their prey on cave walls. Human life evolved from not knowing writing to developing thought processes that allowed them to create codes with letters and numbers, which marked humans as creatures capable of thinking. This thinking eventually gave rise to culture. The process of literacy development began with the invention of writing, which was done using parchment as the writing medium. Parchment is a writing tool made from the skins of animals such as sheep, goats, or donkeys, which replaced paper. The pages of books, codices, or manuscripts used by people around 550 BCE were typically made of parchment.
Human interaction in the literacy process already involved the exchange of information through carrier pigeons in the 5th century CE. For instance, the development of printing machines, paper, cameras, and journalism progressed along with technological advancements. Newspapers became one of the most renowned sources of information. The pace of technological transition accelerated due to the need for quick information. The telegram, an invention from 1837, was used to deliver messages quickly, accurately, and from a distance. The telephone encoded Morse codes or combinations of signals transmitted via a device called the telegraph. In 1867, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Its name comes from two words: “tele,” which means “distant,” and “phone,” which means “sound.” Therefore, the telephone is a tool for communicating with others via sound.
In the digital era, intense competition and innovation have been driven by the increasing need for information. As audio-visual technologies advanced, radios and televisions became global icons in the early 1900s. However, the delivery of information via these mediums did not fully meet society’s needs at the time. Computers were invented in 1941 to fulfill the urgent need for tools to create, design, process, and store data. Hardware and software experienced rapid technological advancements. Text-based applications marked the initial use of computers. Supporting applications for digital media emerged with the advent of the user-friendly Windows operating system. To meet the global need for mobility, laptops have become very popular. With the remarkable growth of internet networks, laptops are now increasingly being replaced by gadgets for digital media.
Everyone must understand that digital literacy is crucial for participating in the modern world. Digital literacy is as important as writing, reading, arithmetic, and other fields. The mindset of today’s generation differs from previous generations because they have limitless access to digital technology. Everyone must take responsibility for how they use technology to interact with their surroundings. In everyday life, people can interact and communicate with friends and family thanks to digital technology. Unfortunately, fake news, hate speech, radicalism, and even fraud are increasingly spreading on the internet today. The existence of negative content that damages the current digital ecosystem can only be countered by raising public awareness.
A digitally literate person has the ability to process various types of data, understand messages, and communicate well in various forms. In this context, it includes creating, collaborating, communicating, and working in line with moral standards, as well as understanding when and how technology should be used to achieve goals. It also includes critical thinking and understanding the various positive and negative consequences that may result from using technology in daily life. This encourages individuals to be active information creators, either personally or as part of a community. If younger generations lack digital skills, they risk falling behind in the competition for jobs, participating in democracy, and engaging socially.
Digital literacy will create a society with critical and creative mindsets. They will not easily fall victim to provocative issues, hoaxes, or digital fraud. As a result, the social and cultural life of society tends to be safe and healthy. Building a culture of digital literacy requires active community participation. One indicator of achievement in education and culture is the improvement in digital literacy.
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