Digital Literacy and Social Media: Understanding Affordances for Meaningful Use
摘要
Due to unique affordances, social media have changed how individuals navigate daily life—as they allow individuals to easily connect with content and other people, more readily see the behaviors of other individuals, and amplify interactions. With these affordances come opportunities and challenges. A key to effective citizenship in a society is being well-informed, and many individuals rely on social media to deliver evolving information on current events and interpretations of these events. However, one of the most pressing challenges with social media use is the spread of misinformation and disinformation. Therefore, to prepare digital citizens, understanding social media affordances is necessary. An overview of social media use, trends, and affordances is provided in the context of digital citizenship, with consideration given to how these affordances contribute to the spread of misinformation and disinformation. Implications and suggestions for facilitating digital citizenship with learners are discussed.