Digital Literacy as a Catalyst for Critical Thinking

This book explores the many forms in which literacy—the ability to read and write—can manifest. Media and Information Literacy is the ability to use different types of media in a reliable, intelligent, and responsible manner. The development of literacy competence has occurred in parallel with the developments in the historical period. Different types of media have emerged in the historical process, and accordingly, the competences of individuals have developed and diversified and have had socio-cultural reflections. Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is harmonious because it encompasses the various concepts of connected literacies. These include: media literacy, information literacy, freedom of expression and information literacy, library literacy, news literacy, computer literacy, internet literacy, digital literacy, cinema literacy, games literacy, television literacy, advertising literacy, and other types of literacies.

Media and Information Literacy is extremely important today because it enables critical thinking. An individual who is Media and Information literate can distinguish between reliable sources of information, determine the role of media in culture, and be responsible for understanding the impact of mass communication when switching between different media platforms. Media and Information Literacy is considered a set of competencies and skills that are close to the concepts of online and offline media, critical thinking, media use, information and source awareness, digital citizenship, and active participation. In particular, Media and Information Literacy skills are skills that are encouraged to combat social challenges such as misinformation and disinformation, extremism, cyberbullying and online hate speech, various cybercrimes (blackmail, data theft, human rights violations, etc.). Media and Information Literacy is a set of competencies that enable a person to access media, analyze media content, create new media messages, reflect on existing media content, and take action with media.