Abstract
Being an active informed citizen in the new-media era requires the ability to filter through overwhelming content and identify credible sources of information. The crucial element to such a filtration process requires digital literacy's cognitive and technical skills. Currently, media consumption is changing due to robust e-commerce presence, user-generated communication, and the availability of shared users' information. The goal of this research is to examine Egyptian youths' conceptualization of privacy, its application, and examine their knowledge of digital literacy principles and elements. The research methodology uses focus groups and in-depth interviews. The sample consists of Egyptian youth aged 18-30, in addition, interviews with media experts, policymakers, security experts, and psychologists are conducted. This chapter will generate insights relating to privacy-related online behaviors in relation to (a) familiarity with technical aspects of online platforms, (b) awareness of common institutional practices, and (c) understanding of platform's privacy policy.
TopRise And Development Of Digital Literacy
With the advancement of computer-mediated tools, media scholars began to offer apprehension about the negative consequences that may arise with the consumption of these technologies. Given the ever-changing nature of technologies, a holistic delineation of what constitutes literacy has been offered by the National Council of Teachers of English (2005) “All modes of communication are code-pendent; each affects the nature of the content and the overall rhetorical impact of the communication event itself” (as cited in Hobbs 2017, p. 5).
Digital Technologies with their embedded interactive forms of communication, ought not to be in less need of critical understanding, on the contrary, they require adapting and ensuing parameters for interminable media convergence. The plethora of scholars’ work alongside Ideological perspectives has shaped media literacy’s theoretical formulations. Kathleen Welch (1999) offers an understanding of literacy as not confined to “the ability to read and write but an activity of the minds, and being capable of recognizing and engaging substantive issues along with the ways that minds, sensibilities, and emotions are constructed by and within communities whose members communicate through specific technologies” (Kathleen Welch 1999 p. 67 as cited in Gurak, 2001).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Information Control Behavior: is operationalized as users' behavior in strategizing information release (share/post or abstain from posting).
Youth’s Practices: Activities Egyptian youth engage in, as well as cognitive and technical decision-making process and risk management analysis taking place online.
Privacy Concerns: The concept of privacy concerns looks at individuals’ beliefs about possible negative consequences that are associated with information disclosure and sharing.
Online Privacy: the claim of individual users' control over, limitations on, exemption from inquiry, surveillance, or unwanted access
Digital Literacy: is operationalized as online user’s awareness and perception of adequate practices needed with competence in the following dimensions- a- Technical familiarity with SNS; b- Awareness of institutional practices; c- Privacy Policy and regulations understanding; d- Process of Information risk management.
Social Networking Sites (SNS): A website that focuses on building and maintaining social relationships, sharing interests and information either personal or private at the center, and allowing users to create a personalized and tailored profile.