This chapter argues that, although young people's online expertise is rightly celebrated, critical scrutiny is also required, for educators, researchers, and policymakers are struggling to conceptualize just what young people know or need to know when using the Internet. The chapter draws out historical continuities between Internet literacy and print literacy in order that the ambitious expectations society has for print literacy (notably, writing as well as reading, critiquing as well as receiving) are extended to Internet literacy in the information age, thus supporting cultural expression, civic participation, and democratic deliberation, as well as a skilled labor force. The chapter challenges popular claims for young people's online literacy not to criticize young people, who are undoubtedly enthusiastic, creative, and skilled, but in order to reveal society's failings in supporting their Internet literacy through design, education, and regulation.
Internet Literacy: Young People's Negotiation of New Online Opportunities
Contributing Organization(s): MacArthur Foundation Digital Media and Learning Initiative, The
Author(s)/Creator(s): Sonia Livingstone
Publishing Date: 2008-01-01
Issue Areas: Children and Youth; Media; Education and Literacy
Ownership/Rights Info: Copyright 2008 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Published under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works Unported 3.0 license.
Part of the Volume on Digital Young, Innovation, and the Unexpected
Access this research:
Available at: http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/dmal.9780262633598.101
Intended Audience: Advocates; College/University Professors; General Public; Researchers; Teachers-middle school; Teachers-high school
Type/Format: Whitepaper
Language code: English
Type/Format: Whitepaper
Language code: English
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