THE rapid and unprecedented levels of growth in technology and widening digital connectivity have made technology an inseparable force in most, if not, every aspect of our lives, pushing digital literacy as a crucial life skill to navigate and participate meaningfully in an increasingly vast and complex digital landscape.
Digital literacy is also important to participate in today’s digitised civic engagements and empower individuals to make informed political decisions in a democratic society. In fact, digital literacy has become essential to access and remain engaged in these spaces.
According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies Indonesia, in 2024, Indonesia will have its presidential and legislative elections taking place simultaneously in February, followed by regional elections in November. First-time and young voters, aged 17-39 years old, are expected to make up around 60% of the electorate.
A study has also found that 35% of individuals below 24 years of age spend over six hours on social media each day. This has resulted in political parties and electoral candidates focusing on online interactions, particularly through social media engagement, to appeal to the young generation.
In Indonesia’s presidential election in 2019, social media contestation became a primary dynamic, with the spreading of fake news and misinformation to discredit candidates. These behaviors are expected to continue and possibly intensify in the upcoming elections, putting individuals lacking digital literacy at risk of falling into the trap of false information.
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to an increase in the generation of lifelike photos and deep fakes of candidates in the 2024 elections. This poses a challenge as AI-generated content can easily deceive people, especially those unfamiliar with it.
An additional element in the 2024 election is the rise of TikTok as a prominent tool for political campaigning among electoral candidates and political parties in Indonesia. With its popularity among young Indonesians, TikTok has become the second largest audience for the platform globally. However, it has also been used to distribute hate speech and disinformation.
As the elections approach, it is crucial for voters to possess the skills to identify the accuracy of information they encounter online. This includes double-checking political content and relying on trustworthy sources. All these skills fall under the umbrella of digital literacy.
Despite the importance of digital literacy, the Indonesian education system currently lacks a systematic agenda to promote digital development from an early age. Only a few initiatives and programs have been effectively implemented.
Developing digital literacy from an early age is crucial, as children and adolescents are the most connected age group. However, access to digital tools and internet usage does not guarantee effective use of these tools. Additional support and guidance are necessary for children to develop basic reading, writing, comprehension skills, critical evaluation skills, collaborative competencies, and responsible use of technology.
Experts and research agree that early interventions are important in cultivating digital literacy. The inclusion of digital literacy in the national curriculum, with a focus on ethical and responsible use of technology, as well as critical-thinking skills, is essential. Teachers should receive comprehensive training to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) in classrooms.
Instilling digital literacy in children from an early age is paramount in cultivating future citizens who can meaningfully participate in our increasingly digitalized democratic processes. Therefore, education plays a crucial role in this transformative process.
In the upcoming elections, where young generations, including first-time voters, play a determining role, sufficient digital literacy skills are crucial to help them identify misleading information and make informed, fair, and responsible decisions.
Natasya Zahra is a researcher at Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS).
Credit: The Star : News Feed
