Author(s): Justin Healey

Educational

The rapid uptake of digital technologies has hugely impacted on the way we communicate, relate, learn, work, and spend our leisure time. Digital media literacy is the ability to access, understand and participate or create content using digital media. This ability is becoming integral to effective participation in the digital economy and Australian society. Those who do not adapt may fall victim to the 'digital divide' and be excluded. The 'Digital Revolution' has both positive and negative effects, which are explored in this timely book. On the positive side, people are connected across distances with the greatest of ease and innovation via mobile/smart phones, online social networking, blogging, gaming, e-learning, etc. Online social networks present greater opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and self-expression. On the negative side, are we becoming over-reliant on constant upgrades and new devices - is the medium becoming the message?
Negative social impacts explored in the book include: internet addiction, information overload and the decline of conventional media, online safety and privacy invasion (cyberbullying, pornography), cyber crime, and the proposed internet filter debate. Are our brains being re-wired to receive and transmit, at the expense of safe and meaningful interactions?