ZAMBIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF

TECHNOLOGY

IN CONJUCTION WITH

THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

BICTE - ODL

STUDENT NAME: BEATRICE CHELLAH

STUDENT ID:

PROGRAMME: BICTE

COURSE: INTRODUCTION TO IT

COURSE CODE: ICT 1100

TASK: THEORY ASSIGNMENT 1

QUESTION: 12

YEAR: 2024
This paper analyze the importance of digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness in the digital
age. It further discusses how gaps in digital skills and knowledge contribute to cyber threats and
vulnerabilities, and what educational initiatives can be implemented to empower individuals with
the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital landscape safely and responsibly. The term
"digital literacy" describes the capacity to successfully access, assess, comprehend, produce, and
convey information in the digital age. It includes a variety of abilities, such as media literacy,
critical thinking, information literacy, and technological competence. Being digitally literate in the
21st century is no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity since technology affects practically every
area of our lives, from political engagement and work to education and personal well-being. Cyber
socialization has risen alongside the development of digital literacy and has now permeated every
aspect of our everyday existence. " Digital literacy is the ability to effectively utilize digital
technologies and information in a Digital society”. The digital world requires a range of skills,
including technological, cognitive, and socio-emotional skills. The following are the key
components of digital literacy:

1.Technological skills: Digital literacy involves proficiency with a variety of digital tools, apps,
and devices. Utilize online platforms, and search engines, manage and organize digital files,
understand basic programming concepts, and collaborate and communicate effectively [1] .

2.Cognitive skills: Critical thinking, problem-solving, and information evaluation are all part of
digital literacy. This involves the capacity to assess the legitimacy and dependability of
information found online, to analyzedata, and to make defensible judgments in a digital setting. It
also entails having a critical perspective on the ethical implications of digital technology and
comprehending topics like privacy, security, and digital rights [2].

3.Socio-emotional skills: Digital citizenship, digital communication, and online etiquette are only
a few examples of the socioemotional abilities that are covered by digital literacy. This involves
the capacity to connect with people in digital contexts with empathy andrespect, to speak clearly
and appropriately, to comprehend and control one's digital identity, and to act in an ethical and
responsible manner online. It also entails participating in constructive online interaction and
comprehending the social, cultural,and ethical facets of the digital environment [3].

Digital literacy has provided many opportunities for society and individuals. In particular,
accessibility, openness, and support by the system ensured the implementation of literacy for

1
everyone at any age. It also brought about many innovations to education and has changed
standardized contents and applications.

Today more than 61% of full industry exchanges are done on the internet, so this area prerequisite
high quality of security for direct and best exchanges. Thus, cybersecurity has become a most
recent issue [4]. Nowadays numerous countries and administrations are compelling strict rules on
cyber safeties to keep the loss of some vital data. Each should be equipped on this cybersecurity
and save themselves from these increasing cybercrimes. Cyber-security is both about the insecurity
made by and through this new space and about the practices or procedures to make it
(progressively) secure [5].

Cybersocialization is now an essential part of our daily lives in the digital age. People engage in a
variety of virtual interactions, including those in online forums, chat rooms, and social media
platforms. [6] explained that digital literacy and cyber socialization intersect inside the manner
people consume and examine facts online. In the era of faux news and misinformation, digital
literacy is essential for people to seriously compare and verify the credibility of online
statistics.etc.) [7].

As cybercrime increases, every organization must establish some policies to maintain and improve
their information technology. Ernest & Young, in a 2015 survey, found that employees who are
careless and less aware are the top vulnerability factors that concern companies [8]. Students who
lack cybersecurity awareness and entering the workforce are a threat to recruiting companies;
students as prospective employees who are prepared to join the crew must have cybersecurity
awareness [9]

In conclusion, to empower individuals with the knowledge and skils needed to navigate the digital
landscape safely and responsibly, more investments in the education sector must be encouraged.
The Fatih project in Turkey (http://fatihprojesi.meb.gov.tr) provided a technological structure in
the education system. With the needs of schools and courses, tablets were delivered at no cost,
resulting in teacher and student-centered education creating a comprehensive situation for
education both inside and outside of the school. This is an aspiring situation for social stratification
and democratic and transitive social structures.

2
 REFERENCES

[1] UNESCO, " Education in a post-COVID world: Nine ideas for public action.," 2013.

[2] R. (. Hobbs, "Digital and Media Literacy: Connecting Culture and Classroom.".

[3] J. Fraillon, J. Ainley, W. Schulz, T. Friedman and E. Gebhardt, "Preparing for Life in a Digital World: IEA
International Computer and Information Literacy Study 2018 International Report.:," International
Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)., Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2018.

[4] K. Dervojeda, D. Verzijl, F. Nagtegaal, M. Lengton and E. Rouwmaat, Innovative Business Models:
Supply chain finance., Netherlands: Business Innovation Observatory; European Union., 2014.

[5] S. Kumar and V. Somani, "Social Media Security Risks, Cyber Threats And Risks Prevention And
Mitigation Techniques.t," International Journal of Advance Research in Computer Science and
Managemen, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 125-129., 2018.

[6] K. Purcell, J. Buchanan and L. Friedrich, "The Impact of Digital Tools on Student Writing and How
Writing is Taught in Schools (Rep.).," 2013.

[7] V. A. Pleshakov, "Human cybersocialization: from Homo Sapiens to Homo Cyberus. Moscow.,"
Moscow., 2012.

[8] Muhirwe, Jackson and N. White., "Cybersecurity Awareness and Practice of Next Generation
Corporate Technology Users.," Issues in Information Systems , vol. 17, pp. 183 - 92, 2018.

[9] F. P. Teer, S. E. Kruck and G. P. Kruck., "Empirical Study of Students' Computer Security
Practices/Perceptions," Journal of Computer Information Systems , vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 105-10, 2007.