Updated August 2025
The meaning of the term digital literacy is still being hotly debated. The articles below include a number of definitions. Some are based on research, while others come from industry. While it is important to consider authority and veracity when information is being authored by an industry or company that has a vested interest in the uptake of technology, it is also important to be aware of what this sector is promoting. For the same reason articles from popular news media have also been included.
ACARA. (2025). Digital literacy. Understand this general capability. Retrieved April 2025 from v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/curriculum-information/understand-this-general-capability/digital-literacy
Banks, N., Gribble, L., Renzella, J, Vassar, S. (2025). Understanding the basics of AI is a must-have skill for Australian students and their teachers. Retrieved February 2025 from www.abc.net.au/education/students-and-their-teachers-must-understand-the-basics-of-ai/104872924?utm_campaign=abc_education&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_education
Baron, N. (2016). Why digital reading Is no substitute for print. New Republic. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <https://newrepublic.com/article/135326/digital-reading-no-substitute-print>
Combes, B. (2016). Digital literacy: A new flavour of literacy or something different? Synergy, 14(1). Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://www.slav.vic.edu.au/synergy/volume-14-number-1-2016/reflections-and-actions/611-digital-literacy-a-new-flavour-of-literacy-or-something-different.html>
eSmart. (2024). What is digital literacy - and why do our children need it? Retrieved 9 July 2024 from www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/resources/what-is-digital-literacy-and-why-do-our-children-need-it
Fall, A. (2017). Digital libraries to boost reading in disadvantaged schools: the example of Senegal (French language). Retrieved Aug. 2017 from <http://library.ifla.org/1746/1/138-fall-fr.pdf>
Goulding, A., Shuker, M.J. & Dickie, J. (2017). Media mentoring through digital storytimes: the experiences of public libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved Aug. 2017 from <http://library.ifla.org/1742/1/138-goulding-en.pdf>
Heitin, L. (2016). Digital literacy: An evolving definition. Education Week, 36(12). 5-6. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/11/09/what-is-digital-literacy.html>
Henny, C. (2016). Why digital literacy is critical in learning. Educational Technology, eLearning Industry. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <https://elearningindustry.com/digital-literacy-critical-elearning>
Hyytiäinen , P. & Mäensivu, S. (2017). Interactive Stories Workshops – Learning the Languages of Literature and Programming. Retrieved Aug. 2017 from <http://library.ifla.org/1743/1/138-hyytiainen-en.pdf>
Karklins, J. (2011). Towards digital literacy: What librarians can do. Keynote IFLA 2011, Puerto Rico, San Juan. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <https://www.ifla.org/past-wlic/2011/114-karklins-en.pdf>
Kozlowski, M. (2017). UK readers abandon eBooks at an alarming rate. GoodEReader. Retrieved Aug. 2017 from <https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/uk-readers-abandon-ebooks-at-an-alarming-rate>
Literacy Planet. (2015). eLearning in Australian classrooms. Retrieved Aug. 2018 from <https://www.literacyplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/LiteracyPlanet-eLearning-Report.pdf>
The Literacy Site. (2015). Are you reading the wrong books? What science Is saying about fiction readers. [blog]. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://blog.theliteracysite.com/fiction-readers/>
Merga, M. (2019). Australian school students learn online more than average but their marks have flatlined. Retrieved August 2025 www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-13/australian-students-above-average-screen-doesnt-help-results/11695828?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
Meyers, J.K. (2016). LubutoLiteracy: Use of digital technology to teach reading in Zambia. IFLA Libraries for Children and Young Adults. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <https://www.ifla.org/node/10521>
Milligan, L., Robinson, L. (2019). The first generations of 'digi kids' are struggling with literacy as experts warn against screen time. Retrieved August 2025 www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-11/screen-time-and-impact-on-literacy/11681026?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
Michell, A., Stocking, G. & Matsa, K.E. (2016). Long-form reading shows signs of life in our mobile news world. PEW Research Centre, Journalism and Media. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://www.journalism.org/2016/05/05/long-form-reading-shows-signs-of-life-in-our-mobile-news-world/>
Netsafe. (2018). From literacy to fluency to citizenship: Digital citizenship in education (2nd ed.). Wellington, NZ: Netsafe. Retrieved Jul. 2019 from <http://www.netsafe.org.nz/2017xyz/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/From-literacy-to-fluency-to-citizenship.pdf>
Ofgang, E. (2025). AI literacy : 6 resources for teachers. Retrieved August 2025 from www.techlearning.com/how-to/ai-literacy-6-resources-for-teachers
Owen, S. (2013). What is digital literacy? Deakin University. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1237742/digital-literacy.pdf>
Robb, A. (2015). 92 percent of college students prefer reading print books to e-readers. New Republic. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <https://newrepublic.com/article/120765/naomi-barons-words-onscreen-fate-reading-digital-world>
Ruiz, P. A. (2025). Why we need to teach digital literacy in schools. Retrieved April 2025 from theconversation.com/why-we-need-to-teach-digital-literacy-in-schools-253497
Ventimiglia, P. & Pullman, G. (2016). From written to digital: The new literacy. Educause Review, 51(2). Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://er.educause.edu/articles/2016/3/from-written-to-digital-the-new-literacy>
The meaning of the term digital literacy is still being hotly debated. The articles below include a number of definitions. Some are based on research, while others come from industry. While it is important to consider authority and veracity when information is being authored by an industry or company that has a vested interest in the uptake of technology, it is also important to be aware of what this sector is promoting. For the same reason articles from popular news media have also been included.
ACARA. (2025). Digital literacy. Understand this general capability. Retrieved April 2025 from v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/curriculum-information/understand-this-general-capability/digital-literacy
Banks, N., Gribble, L., Renzella, J, Vassar, S. (2025). Understanding the basics of AI is a must-have skill for Australian students and their teachers. Retrieved February 2025 from www.abc.net.au/education/students-and-their-teachers-must-understand-the-basics-of-ai/104872924?utm_campaign=abc_education&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_education
Baron, N. (2016). Why digital reading Is no substitute for print. New Republic. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <https://newrepublic.com/article/135326/digital-reading-no-substitute-print>
Combes, B. (2016). Digital literacy: A new flavour of literacy or something different? Synergy, 14(1). Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://www.slav.vic.edu.au/synergy/volume-14-number-1-2016/reflections-and-actions/611-digital-literacy-a-new-flavour-of-literacy-or-something-different.html>
eSmart. (2024). What is digital literacy - and why do our children need it? Retrieved 9 July 2024 from www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/resources/what-is-digital-literacy-and-why-do-our-children-need-it
Fall, A. (2017). Digital libraries to boost reading in disadvantaged schools: the example of Senegal (French language). Retrieved Aug. 2017 from <http://library.ifla.org/1746/1/138-fall-fr.pdf>
Goulding, A., Shuker, M.J. & Dickie, J. (2017). Media mentoring through digital storytimes: the experiences of public libraries in Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved Aug. 2017 from <http://library.ifla.org/1742/1/138-goulding-en.pdf>
Heitin, L. (2016). Digital literacy: An evolving definition. Education Week, 36(12). 5-6. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/11/09/what-is-digital-literacy.html>
Henny, C. (2016). Why digital literacy is critical in learning. Educational Technology, eLearning Industry. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <https://elearningindustry.com/digital-literacy-critical-elearning>
Hyytiäinen , P. & Mäensivu, S. (2017). Interactive Stories Workshops – Learning the Languages of Literature and Programming. Retrieved Aug. 2017 from <http://library.ifla.org/1743/1/138-hyytiainen-en.pdf>
Karklins, J. (2011). Towards digital literacy: What librarians can do. Keynote IFLA 2011, Puerto Rico, San Juan. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <https://www.ifla.org/past-wlic/2011/114-karklins-en.pdf>
Kozlowski, M. (2017). UK readers abandon eBooks at an alarming rate. GoodEReader. Retrieved Aug. 2017 from <https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/uk-readers-abandon-ebooks-at-an-alarming-rate>
Literacy Planet. (2015). eLearning in Australian classrooms. Retrieved Aug. 2018 from <https://www.literacyplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/LiteracyPlanet-eLearning-Report.pdf>
The Literacy Site. (2015). Are you reading the wrong books? What science Is saying about fiction readers. [blog]. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://blog.theliteracysite.com/fiction-readers/>
Merga, M. (2019). Australian school students learn online more than average but their marks have flatlined. Retrieved August 2025 www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-13/australian-students-above-average-screen-doesnt-help-results/11695828?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
Meyers, J.K. (2016). LubutoLiteracy: Use of digital technology to teach reading in Zambia. IFLA Libraries for Children and Young Adults. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <https://www.ifla.org/node/10521>
Milligan, L., Robinson, L. (2019). The first generations of 'digi kids' are struggling with literacy as experts warn against screen time. Retrieved August 2025 www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-11/screen-time-and-impact-on-literacy/11681026?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
Michell, A., Stocking, G. & Matsa, K.E. (2016). Long-form reading shows signs of life in our mobile news world. PEW Research Centre, Journalism and Media. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://www.journalism.org/2016/05/05/long-form-reading-shows-signs-of-life-in-our-mobile-news-world/>
Netsafe. (2018). From literacy to fluency to citizenship: Digital citizenship in education (2nd ed.). Wellington, NZ: Netsafe. Retrieved Jul. 2019 from <http://www.netsafe.org.nz/2017xyz/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/From-literacy-to-fluency-to-citizenship.pdf>
Ofgang, E. (2025). AI literacy : 6 resources for teachers. Retrieved August 2025 from www.techlearning.com/how-to/ai-literacy-6-resources-for-teachers
Owen, S. (2013). What is digital literacy? Deakin University. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1237742/digital-literacy.pdf>
Robb, A. (2015). 92 percent of college students prefer reading print books to e-readers. New Republic. Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <https://newrepublic.com/article/120765/naomi-barons-words-onscreen-fate-reading-digital-world>
Ruiz, P. A. (2025). Why we need to teach digital literacy in schools. Retrieved April 2025 from theconversation.com/why-we-need-to-teach-digital-literacy-in-schools-253497
Ventimiglia, P. & Pullman, G. (2016). From written to digital: The new literacy. Educause Review, 51(2). Retrieved Mar. 2017 from <http://er.educause.edu/articles/2016/3/from-written-to-digital-the-new-literacy>