As India strives towards becoming a Viksit Bharat, the role of digital literacy has never been more critical. The theme of International Literacy Day 2024, “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace,” highlights the importance of education in fostering global cooperation. In this context, digital literacy stands as a fundamental pillar for building a just, peaceful, and sustainable society.
Expanding the Definition of Literacy: Traditionally, literacy meant the ability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic. Today, literacy encompasses a range of skills, including communication, financial literacy, civic engagement, and ethical reasoning. Among these, digital literacy is paramount in the 21st century. It enables individuals to navigate the complexities of the digital world, access essential information, and engage in global conversations.
For India to progress towards Viksit Bharat, digital literacy is vital. It empowers individuals to participate meaningfully in both local and global spheres, exercising their rights and contributing to socio-economic development in an interconnected world.
Digital Literacy and Global Citizenship
Digital literacy is not only about acquiring technical skills but also about becoming an informed global citizen. According to UNESCO, digital literacy includes competencies to access, process, and engage with digital media. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) defines digital skills on a spectrum, from basic to advanced, involving a combination of critical thinking and technical expertise.
Without digital literacy, individuals risk being excluded from the digital public sphere, unable to exercise their rights or contribute to civic life. To prevent a digital divide, India must focus on digital equity as part of its journey towards Viksit Bharat. Ensuring that all citizens have access to digital education is crucial for their participation in the digital age.
Combating Misinformation and Fostering Trust: Trust is foundational to a peaceful society, but the rise of misinformation, disinformation, and AI-generated media has eroded public trust. Fake news, deepfakes, and misleading content can create divisions and disrupt democratic processes. To address this, digital literacy is essential. It enables individuals to critically assess the information they encounter, discern credible sources, and engage in informed discussions.
In a diverse country like India, where multiple languages and cultures coexist, digital literacy can promote mutual understanding. It fosters critical thinking and responsible engagement, ensuring that the digital public sphere remains a space for dialogue, cooperation, and trust-building. By promoting digital literacy, India can safeguard its democracy and social cohesion.
Addressing Digital Threats and Exclusion: While digital technologies offer vast opportunities, they also introduce risks such as cyber abuse, online harassment, and digital exclusion, especially for vulnerable groups. Moreover, cyber fraud is increasingly widespread, with criminals exploiting digital platforms to deceive individuals.
Digital literacy plays a key role in addressing these challenges. It equips individuals with the knowledge to protect themselves online, recognize threats, and ensure their safety in digital spaces. In addition, digital literacy fosters counter-speech—an important tool for promoting civility and respect in online interactions. This is essential for building a more inclusive and equitable society in a Viksit Bharat.
Countering Violent Extremism through Digital Literacy: A critical issue in the digital era is the spread of violent extremism, with extremist groups using digital platforms to radicalize individuals, particularly the youth. Morphed videos, extremist propaganda, and AI-generated content can fuel hatred and division.
To counter this, digital literacy must include education on recognizing and resisting extremist content. Through countering violent extremism (CVE) strategies, digital literacy can promote peace and harmony by teaching individuals to engage in respectful, tolerant conversations. In a Viksit Bharat, digital literacy will be a tool for preventing radicalization and fostering peaceful co-existence.
Digital Literacy as Public Policy: For India to achieve its vision of a Viksit Bharat, digital literacy must be prioritized in public policy. Digital literacy offers three essential benefits. It enables individuals to exercise their rights and freedoms in the digital world, facilitating active participation in civic and democratic processes. It helps mitigate the harmful effects of misinformation and disinformation, including the impact of AI-generated content like deepfakes. And, it promotes a just, peaceful, and sustainable society based on civility, respect, and inclusivity.
India must adopt decentralized digital literacy programs, focusing on marginalized communities, youth, and vulnerable groups. This approach will close the digital divide and ensure that all citizens have the tools they need to thrive in the digital world.
Conclusion: Empowering India’s Digital Future: As India moves closer to its goal of a Viksit Bharat, digital literacy will play a central role in this transformation. It empowers citizens to participate in the digital world, navigate online threats, and contribute to a more peaceful, just, and sustainable society. By making digital literacy a core part of public policy, India can ensure that its citizens are equipped to succeed in the digital age, contributing to a Viksit Bharat that is inclusive, resilient, and forward-thinking.
Avinash Pandey is an IRS officer in the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Customs & Indirect Taxes, posted in Ludhiana. Views are personal.