What is digital literacy? 5/6

Digital literacy competencies

Digital navigation involves more than just browsing the internet—it’s about confidently moving through digital platforms while understanding how they are designed and how they influence user experience. It includes managing your data privacy, protecting your digital identity, and being able to recognise deceptive behaviours online, such as bots or fake accounts that are often used to spread disinformation, including on climate-related topics.

Communication and collaboration are essential digital skills in today’s interconnected world. Being digitally literate means communicating respectfully and responsibly online, whether through emails, messaging apps, or social media. It also means knowing how to work together with others in digital environments—sharing documents, curating information, and contributing constructively to group tasks or discussions. These skills are particularly important in collaborative efforts to promote accurate climate information and counter disinformation.

Privacy and verification are at the core of safe and responsible digital behaviour. Practising privacy awareness means understanding what personal information you share online and how to protect it. Equally important is the ability to verify content before believing or sharing it—even in private messages. In an era where misleading content can be spread quickly and quietly, being able to fact-check and think critically is a powerful defence against falsehoods, especially around urgent issues like climate change.