Academic Essay on Literacy in a Digital World

Running Head: Essay on Digital Literacy 1
Academic Essay on Literacy in a Digital World
System04096
5/29/2018

Essay on Digital Literacy 2
Literacy refers to the competency to read and write of an individual. With digital literacy the
meaning of literacy expands the roots to the digital platform, creating a pool of knowledge
(Heick). In the present scenarios of living, individuals are predominantly reliable on digital
medium for the major activities including banking, education, connectivity, entertainment, food,
and booking tickets. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Snapchat and other
various types of mails and websites are used to spread news and awareness and for creating
content for the mass (Buck 9-38 ).
Digitalisation now, plays one of the essential roles in our life but on the other hand the time
when I was 9years old digitalisation was not so popular. Digital literacy then was itself not as
expanded as now. It meant the ability to use the computer for finding and computing information
which was done by a few people who holds the specialised knowledge in the field (Tyner 55-60).
Parents and teachers always instructed children to focus on reading, and writing more to enhance
our knowledge. Digital literacy was a luxury than a necessity of life. And just like others, I was
also advised and trained to have more of the traditional literacy shape through my studies in
order to succeed in my life. Libraries, book stores, newspapers were the things I searched for
whenever I was to clear a query or enhance my knowledge. The medium or the platforms for
digital literacy were yes, a few in numbers and considered as a distraction more (“Telling Stories
With Technology”). But I was allowed to access internet for a limited time as a mode of
entertainment. Using the desktop I had to talk to my friends who were far away or had a limited
connection with me through facebook. However, it started to distract me leading to sloping
down of my performance in studies and physical activities than the usual. After which I was
restricted for the usage of internet services and aim at my life’s goal entirely.