Digital Literacy Among Children in Elementary Schools

Abstract

The use of digital devices by children is on the rise and a better understanding of their usage behaviour can be helpful in designing better ways of imparting education. As per data from the Indonesia Internet Service Provider Association (APJII), in 2018, almost 50% of elementary school children were using the internet. However, an introduction to digital technologies is not included under the topics covered in state elementary schools in Indonesia. Field work involving teachers and children in state and non-state elementary schools, officials in ministries, ICT vendors, parents were conducted through interviews, observations and workshops related to the use of digital technology to better understand the digital behaviour of children. It was found that elementary school children get exposed to digital technology at a very early age and while the duration of use varies according to parental involvement and awareness, the content consumed by children is, in most cases, not appropriate for their age. This study illustrates that monitoring digital use among children is currently a challenge for parents, and digital literacy, which includes introduction to both positive and negative effects of digital devices as well as appropriate digital use behaviour, should become an important part of the theme of learning in elementary schools in Indonesia to ensure digital technologies help in the shaping of children's attitudes and character, in a manner that is valued and beneficial to the society.
 Kata Kunci: literasi digital, pemanfaatan digital oleh anak sekolah dasar, pengenalan digital pada anak
 
 Abstract – Use of digital devices by children is on the rise and a better understanding of their usage behaviour can be helpful in designing better ways of imparting education. As per data from the Indonesia Internet Service Provider Association (APJII), in 2018, almost 50% of elementary school children were using the internet. However, an introduction to digital technologies is not included under the topics covered in state elementary schools in Indonesia. Field work involving teachers and children in state and non-state elementary schools, officials in ministries, ICT vendors, parents were conducted over a six-month study period to better understand the digital behaviour of children. It was found that elementary school children get exposed to digital technology at a very early age and while the duration of use varies according to parental involvement and awareness, the content consumed by children is, in most cases, not appropriate for their age. This study illustrates that monitoring digital use among children is currently a challenge for parents, and digital literacy, which includes introduction to both positive and negative effects of digital devices as well as appropriate digital use behaviour, should become an important part of the theme of learning in elementary schools in Indonesia to ensure digital technologies help in the shaping of children's attitudes and character, in a manner that is valued and beneficial to the society.

Analisis Literasi Digital Tenaga Pendidik pada Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini

“…Kehadiran teknologi digital perlu dibarengi dengan pengetahuan serta pemahaman terkait pemanfaatan teknologi digital itu sendiri dari sisi guru, orang tua dan anak (Kuntarto & Prakash, 2020). Guru merupakan faktor pertama penentu keberhasilan atau kegagalan upaya-upaya peningkatan mutu dan inovasi pendidikan di tingkat sekolah, khususnya di satuan Pendidikan anak usia dini.…”

Memikirkan Kembali Kurikulum Literasi Media di Sekolah Dasar

“…Anak-anak pada rentang usia 10-14 tahun yang merupakan kategori sebagai anak sekolah kini secara aktif telah menggunakan internet (Asosiasi Penyedia Jaringan Internet Indonesia, 2019). Selain itu, anak sekolah dasar kini juga telah menggunakan ponsel pintar untuk bermain permainan interaktif seperti Grand Theft Auto, mengakses Youtube serta Tiktok untuk memenuhi kebutuhan hiburan anak (Kuntarto & Prakash, 2020).…”

“…Pesatnya perkembangan teknologi turut berdampak pada perubahan ekonomi, sosial, serta budaya masyarakat, dan kehidupan anak juga tidak terlepas dari jangkauan media sehingga mempengaruhi cara berpikir dan bertindak, merubah persepsi atas dirinya, orang lain, dan dunia yang dijalani anak (Hasibuan, 2015). Terlebih kini anak sekolah dasar dengan koneksi internet yang berada dalam genggaman mereka memiliki keleluasaan mengakses informasi, memproduksi pesan, dan mereproduksi konten media tanpa kemampuan memverifikasi kebenaran informasi yang diperoleh (Kuntarto & Prakash, 2020). Berkaitan dengan hal itu tentu pendidik tidak bisa mengabaikan kompleksitas panorama media dimana anak kini tertarik di pusarannya.…”

“…Komptensi literasi media para pendidik di jenjang sekolah dasar masih menjadi tantangan yang dihadapi dalam sistem pendidikan di Indonesia. Tantangan kompetensi literasi media guru dimulai dari pemanfaatan, pengetahuan dan pemahaman tentang teknologi digital sampai pada tidak adanya muatan literasi media di kurikulum sekolah dasar sehingga guru tidak memiliki kerangka kerja dan acuan untuk mengarahkan anak dalam menggunakan teknologi digital (Kuntarto & Prakash, 2020).…”

“…tidak hanya berkaitan dengan waktu penggunaan bahkan kepemilikian perangkat digital dan media sosial pun turut meningkat (Asosiasi Penyedia Jaringan Internet Indonesia, 2019;Efendi et al, 2017). Anak-anak memanfaatkan media sosial sebagai ruang untuk berbagai informasi pribadi berupa foto atau video melalui Facebook, Instagram, dan mencari hiburan di media sosial seperti Youtube, serta bermain game online seperti Grand Theft Auto, Point Blank (Hasibuan, 2016;Kuntarto & Prakash, 2020;Triastuti et al, 2017). Penggunaan teknologi digital untuk proses pembelajaran pun terus menjadi tren dan meningkat sejak pandemic Covid-19.…”