In this time of social media dominance, the importance of digital media literacy has grown immensely. At first glance, this can seem to be a very simple concept: to be competent in and understand digital media. And for the most part, this is correct. However, digital media literacy remains elusive to millions of people despite its apparent simplicity. This gap falls along generational lines, geographical lines, and socioeconomic lines. For those who came from a generation when the idea of a computer was futuristic and belonged in a science-fiction movie, understanding the concept of Facebook or Google might be difficult. Some people are in geographic locations that do not have access to broadband internet, thus hindering the possibility and probability of digital media literacy. The issue is similar with socioeconomic divides--some cannot afford access to broadband internet or the devices to use that access.
Digital media literacy is vital to being a part of today's society. It has become the norm for people to be referred to a website to apply for a job, to make a purchase, or to contact a service provider. Without the ability to read, use, and understand digital media, it becomes more difficult for a person to connect and stay connected.
This is not to say that all other forms of communication are obsolete and that digital media--in whatever form is may be--is the only form of connection left. More simply, digital media has become the dominant and accepted form.
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