Digital literacy and data: Guest Lecture Reflection 4

Dr. Bonnie Stewart’s guest lecture prompted me to think about digital literacy in the context of datafication and algorithmic decision making. This talk emphasized the skills of developing a critical understanding of how digital systems operate, who they benefit, and what users may be giving up in the process. When digital literacy is usually discussed, I find the focus to be more around our digital identities and footprints, and the understanding that most of the information we post online will stay there. Algorithms and the data that digital spaces collect and use is a concept that is less discussed, but I believe is just as important. 

An impactful point from the lecture by Dr. Bonnie Stewart was the distinction between digital skills and literacies. Skills allow us to function in digital environments, but literacies enable us to question and interpret them. This distinction made me think how easy it is to participate in digital systems without fully understanding their implications. Many students and younger generations like me use platforms like social media regularly. These platforms are set up to come across as socially beneficial tools to interact and connect with others digitally, and navigating them is a skill that we learn. However, there is little information presented to you when joining these platforms, and when you are a member of these platforms, that discusses how they are structured in ways that extract and monetize user data. Unbeknownst to users, these systems can influence what information appears in users’ feeds, and what they believe is popular, accurate, or important information, which is when digital literacies come into play. Without critical awareness, users become passive participants in systems that are subliminally shaping our behaviour and limiting autonomy. 

Here is a YouTube Video describing the basic differences between digital skills and digital literacy. This video was created by Emerging Tech Insider, a tech-focused media channel that produces short, educational videos explaining concepts like digital literacy, AI, and emerging technologies.

Dr. Bonnie Stewart’s points about how datafication is a form of power was also interesting to me. Every interaction we have with digital technologies leaves behind data that can be collected, analyzed, and used to influence decisions. This power can be from targeted advertisements to more serious applications like access to social services. What stood out to me was how these systems are often presented as objective or efficient, yet they can reinforce inequalities and make errors that are difficult to challenge. 

Here is a video explaining datafication to help you better understand what is is and how it is used. This video was created by Apt Observations, a content creator that produces educational videos that break down concepts in the digital world.

Dr. Stewart also talked about how technologies are not neutral. They reflect the values and priorities of the people and organizations that design them. This suggests that we need to approach new technologies with skepticism. This makes me think that it would be important to research into the background and values of the online platforms I am using.

The lecture made me think about how digital systems influence our everyday lives, which is why digital literacy is so important to adapt and maintain as technology evolves. From educational platforms to authentication systems, participation in society increasingly requires engagement with digital tools. This makes critical digital literacy even more important, as individuals are being forced to navigate these systems, and therefore should put effort into knowing the limitations and risks.