Digital Literacy Skills to Succeed in Learning and Beyond | Yimin Yang | TEDxYouth@GrandviewHeights

Key wellness / self-care / productivity strategies

Be mindful of privacy and security (proactive self-protection)

• Assume personal data can be tracked or shared, even if you don’t realize it.
• Avoid sharing personal information (e.g., names, photos, addresses).
• Use strong password practices and be careful with passwords.
• Don’t click suspicious links.

Verify and evaluate what you see online (reduce mental stress from misinformation)

• Judge credibility: distinguish facts vs. fake news.
• Watch for manipulation and brainwashing.
• Recognize that online information can change your behavior and worldview, so check it.

Balance online and offline life (mental well-being / healthy boundaries)

• Maintain a healthy online relationship rather than letting screen time take over.
• Balance time online with real-life (offline) activities.

Think before you publish (protect your future self)

• Digital posts are searchable and shareable: once online, content can be copied, spread, and may persist.
• Assume unknown audiences may see what you share.
• Be thoughtful and responsible about how information might be interpreted by others.

The “3 skills” framework for digital literacy

Use

• Go beyond just “googling”: learn how to use devices, websites, and platforms effectively.
• Learn to find credible sources of information.

Understand

• Evaluate what you read or hear (facts vs. misinformation).
• Be aware of how online content can affect your beliefs and actions.
• Maintain a healthy relationship with being online and engage responsibly.

Create

• Create content (classwork, blogs, social posts) with responsibility.
• Understand that your content can be interpreted in many ways and can affect others.

Presenters / sources

• Yimin Yang (TEDxYouth@GrandviewHeights)