Background and Introduction
“My Digital World” is a Meta Digital Literacy Program aimed at equipping social media users with knowledge, skills, and competencies on verifying and handling Misinformation and Disinformation While taking full benefit of what these online spaces offer. Within this context, The Youth Cafe collaborated with iEARN to deliver ‘MY DIGITAL WORLD’ training to The Youth Cafe Youth Network. Hosted by iEARN on the Zoom platform, the training attracted 115 youths who registered to participate in the session. The training occurred on December 5, 2023, at 2 pm EAT.
Beldine Atieno facilitated the training. Programs officer- iEARN
Research has consistently provided evidence that many online users cannot ACCESS, ANALYZE, EVALUATE, CREATE and ACT responsibly using all forms of communication media, including but not limited to social media platforms.
The YOUTH, students, educators, and parents have also had to struggle to assess the credibility of and bias in the content that they see online. Traditional approaches to acquiring media literacy skills – where young people learn to judge the credibility of a piece by examining the author, source, and potential biases – simply don’t translate to social media, where people do not often pause to do a critical analysis of the content that they come across. In simple terms, digital media literacy is no longer separable from education. It has become a priority today. To become successful in life, social media users need to develop expertise in the increasingly sophisticated information and entertainment media. Social media technologies have made it easy to spread data across the globe at the touch of a button. Still, along with this promise of reach, there is the reality that there are motivated groups and individuals whose goal is to spread disinformation and subvert the truth, often for ulterior goals. The potential to undermine public trust is enormous.
Modules Covered:
Media literacy
Avoiding Scams
Online Security
More information about the program is available at this link:
https://mydigitalworld.fb.com/ssa/
Discussion
Media Literacy
Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act on all forms of communication. This includes recognizing messages in various forms and being thoughtful about content sharing. Credible digital information was emphasized, emphasising accurate information based on sound evidence.
This session focused on the techniques for evaluating online information, such as the SIFT method (Stop, Investigate, Find better coverage, Trace claims) and the 8 trust indicators. Deceptive online details, ranging from satire to fabricated content, were also explored under the categories of misinformation and disinformation. Media literacy's role in online identity and reputation was discussed, acknowledging challenges posed by confirmation bias and algorithms fostering echo chambers. The importance of reporting cyber crimes and scams was also addressed, stressing the significance of identifying and reporting malicious online activities. These topics collectively contributed to a comprehensive understanding of online security in the digital landscape.
2. Avoiding Scams
In the introduction to avoiding scams, participants were taken through common online scams, including financial scams (charity, lottery, employment, and payment scams), medical scams (identity or medical information theft), romance scams (catfishing and online dating), and tech-support scams (access token theft). Other session topics included strategies for avoiding scams, shopping safely online, and reporting cyber crimes and scams.
3. Online Security
The session covered key aspects of online security, starting with an introduction to its fundamentals. Participants learned about managing personal security for a safer digital presence. The discussion extended to practical insights on handling online accounts securely, emphasizing best practices to protect sensitive information. Furthermore, the session addressed the importance of managing compromised accounts, providing participants with strategies to minimize risks and maintain a robust online security stance.
Insights from the Training
Engaging in the training, participants not only connected with the content but also found value in the learning experience. They appreciated the insights gained, particularly in navigating the tricky realm of online scams. The training became a platform for participants to open up and share their encounters with online scams. Stories were exchanged, creating a collaborative environment where everyone learned from each other's experiences. Participants freely asked questions and shared concerns about distinguishing legitimate job ads and securing digital spaces.
Beyond the session, participants committed to sharing the valuable information they gained and actively participating in future Youth Cafe activities. This demonstrated a sense of community and ongoing engagement. The training significantly boosted participants' awareness of digital risks and commitment to enhancing their digital defences against online threats.