Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.22572/mi.30.2.3
Attitude on Digital Footprint – a Predictor of Generation Z’s literacy
Maja Mlakar
orcid.org/0009-0005-2697-414X
; Sveučilište Sjever
Ljerka Luić
orcid.org/0000-0002-2707-9367
; Sveučilište Sjever
Abstract
Generation Z is often considered adept in the digital environment, but some studies indicate that despite their proficiency with new technology, they lack a critical approach to information and content. As young people use the internet daily, browsing diverse content, sharing it, and often creating it themselves, they leave behind a digital footprint. This entails online data generated through various activities, whether passive such as cookies or intentional such as posts on social media or websites. With increasing exposure to the internet, it’s crucial to raise awareness of both the positive and negative aspects. Digital footprints offer valuable insights into how new technologies impact many lives. They provide access to private information about individuals, such as their worldview, political views, religious beliefs, personality traits, and various other data. Employers can use such information when making hiring decisions, but not all individuals are aware of these possibilities when browsing or sharing content. The aim of this research is to provide
insight into students’ attitudes towards the digital footprint and compare whether students with higher self-assessed digital literacy will have better results. Data was collected through a questionnaire, and students from all years of college in Croatia participated to see if their awareness of the digital footprint would increase as they
approached the end of their studies, i.e., entering the job market. Students expressed
their attitudes towards the digital footprint concerning online activities, sharing personal information, online transactions, online platforms, and privacy and security, and differences in students’ attitudes depending on the type of study program they attend were determined. Descriptive analysis yielded results indicating that the digital footprint is a predictor of students’ digital literacy, highlighting the need for digital literacy education that includes awareness of the digital footprint, as well as practical skills such as regularly changing passwords and protecting privacy.
Keywords
digital footprint; digital literacy; self-perception; Generation Z
Hrčak ID:
325156
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2024.
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