Doug Dawson looks at digital literacy in a recent POTS and PANS post…

A friend of mine, Frederick Pilot, recently asked me an interesting question. Is digital literacy that comes from using a smartphone the same as digital literacy from using a computer? It’s a great question, because the majority of Internet users in the world only have broadband access through a smartphone. In developing nations, 90% of broadband users only have access to a smartphone. In the U.S., 16% of adults only use a smartphone to reach the Internet.

There are skills needed to master using a computer that can’t be learned from using a smartphone. Computer users learn to use a mouse and to type – even people who speak to a computer need the mouse and keyboard. People working on computers learn how to create, save, and manage files. Computer users learn how to use operating systems and software programs.

By contrast, smartphone users mostly learn how to use apps. While some apps are complex, the skills learned generally apply mostly to the specific app.

The conclusion…

None of this discussion answers the original question, which asks if smartphone users are digitally literate. I’m sure that many smartphone users are fully literate in terms of being able to navigate the web. But that doesn’t mean they have the digital skills that employers are looking for. And that begs the question of what it means to be digitally literate.

It’s always an interesting question and Doug’s take is interesting too. My mom was a system’s analyst when I was a kid. She could (and can) type. My dad had a software development company. He wasn’t great at typing then; he’s better now. He understood the technology. He may be the exception that proves the rule, or he may be exception that highlights a loophole. If you understand the technology and you are in charge or have people, you might get away without typing.

I remember teaching a class on using technology to start a business. There was one student who showed up with her phone only. She sold fry bread. She was young enough that I’m sure she learned “keyboarding” at school, but the phone was more mobile, affordable and something she could operate from her kitchen (or her mobile stand). Her phone allowed her to accept payments on the fly.

I also talk to a lot of musicians. Some are very technical, both in creation and promotion of their music. Those who aren’t, hire managers or PR folks. But if you want to be the manager or PR person, you’ll need the tech skills.

It seems that there are many flavors of digitally literacy; workforce tech skills, entrepreneurial tech skills, artist tech skills, parenting tech skills (filling out FAFSA alone!) and more.