Communication & Youth Understanding of Digital Media Literacy

Abstract

We live in the era of digitalization, wherein every sector is operating with the use of
technologies and day-by-day more functions continue to be done online. Since 2020 this
digitalization has become more apparent, as we faced the need to operate remotely. We started
learning and teaching online, conducting meetings, and regulating the company’s operation
freely and easily with online platforms. Hence, as Digital Media Literacy is becoming
extremely important in our lives, this study aims at analyzing youth understanding of the role
of DML and its use in education, its influence on their perception of reality, consumption, and
more generally. The study conducted a survey with 100 students of Rangsit University, Rangsit
International College, Thailand, as well, with 27 students of the Department of Commerce,
Meiji University, Japan. The result showed that 80 percent of students think that DML is
important to all aspects of their lives: education, cultural awareness, digital security and social
connectivity. They emphasized that without DML it would be difficult to distinguish correct
information from fake information. It shapes our perception of reality.

This study also discussed other major factors related to DML, such as: the use of Digital
Media for education, the platforms that are used for education and more generally, as well
as understanding the rules and regulations of the Digital World, how do they consider
themselves as digital citizens: responsible or none.