By Dr. Jarrod Sadulski | 10/20/2025
Developing digital media literacy is crucial as digital technology continuously evolves. Traditional media communication – such as printed newspapers and magazines – are being gradually replaced by online sites.
The U.S. Census Bureau observes that “the rise of digital media and technology has transformed the way we access our news and entertainment.” It also found that the rise of the digital age has had a devastating effect on print publishing industries. While there is still a demand for printed books, the use of digital sites to access information is rapidly growing.
Media messages are commonly delivered online. For instance, media professionals and mass media commonly use online platforms to create content and publish news to a local audience or worldwide community.
Technology has enabled the media to have a bigger influence around the world. Resources such as blogs and online news sources have a global impact, and anyone with an internet connection can access digital media platforms from anywhere in the world. For example, when a major event occurs internationally, I often seek out local media sites for that area of the world to obtain vital information.
Why Is It Necessary to Have Digital Media Literacy?
To build knowledge, we typically access digital tools and websites. Over time, we develop the skills to use smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices.
Through critical thinking, we analyze online messages and evaluate the credibility of online sources. We also use online sites to make informed decisions, conduct research, and create:
- Videos
- Text messages
- Images
- Blog articles
However, it is also important to recognize that not every online website can be trusted. Websites have their own hazards, such as malware and deliberate misinformation. As a result, the importance of digital literacy cannot be ignored.
Why Is Digital Media Literacy Important for Children?
For children, digital media literacy education should start at a young age. Children with access to the internet and gaming platforms learn digital media skills early, which has its pros and cons.
For example, children accessing the internet through digital platforms can improve their learning and cognitive development. Digital technology can also be dangerous for children.
Digital media technology can be exploited by bad actors. For instance, viruses are common online, and predators use the internet to target potential victims.
Also, human traffickers use online platforms to seek out the vulnerabilities of their victims. Traffickers target children through digital platforms and seek out the children who do not have:
- Proper privacy settings
- Adequate online parental supervision
- A sense of self-worth, resulting in online comments that reflect their vulnerability to predators
In my work as a criminologist, I have researched cases where a predator targets a child on the internet through creating a false online profile and giving false promises. Some online gaming platforms have chat features where children communicate with someone they don’t know personally.
Digital platforms are commonly used by criminals for grooming their victims. Online grooming involves human trafficking criminals gaining a child’s trust to lure the child away from parental control.
I have spoken to human trafficking victims, groomed online, who fell for the lies of human traffickers. That grooming led to horrific experiences for the victims.
Online vulnerability can be extremely dangerous for children, which shows why it is important for both children and parents to have a good digital media literacy education. Otherwise, the ability of children to distinguish between genuinely helpful online users and villains will be limited.
Online Sites Have Their Uses in Today’s Digital Age
When used properly and safely, digital media sites can be integrated into our lives in a helpful way. Online sites enable citizens to access helpful, relevant resources and can advance our society through education. Social media websites can also be an effective networking tool.
Social media is a part of many Americans’ lives. It helps us connect with each other and remain in communication with friends and colleagues. Social media sites also aid us in engaging with our community and society.
Professional social media platforms such as LinkedIn® can be a valuable resource for developing a professional network. LinkedIn can help us reach a much broader audience through connections with people in industries that align with our career field. Also, LinkedIn is useful for communicating with potential employers and offers a wide range of services.
Digital media literacy is essential for students, especially when they seek a college education. Students learn skills and conduct research through digital programs that prepare them to have crucial workplace skills.
Educators often incorporate digital media in educational institutions to create a curriculum that will foster knowledge. Online media can also be used by teachers to build an understanding of critical thinking and digital citizenship, as well as to teach cross-cultural learning to students. In addition, utilizing a digital framework can advance theory development as educators encourage students to effectively and focus on a wide range of content areas.
Digital and media literacy education can be utilized to participate effectively in leadership development. Understanding how to navigate the digital world helps leaders within organizations to:
- Use data to guide their decision making
- Guide organizational changes
- Foster skills and innovation
- Improve employee knowledge, recruitment, and retention
Many corporations and even government services use the internet to disburse messages, provide tools for consumers, and offer services. However, digital media literacy is crucial; every citizen needs to have the ability to identify and critically analyze false information so that organizations do not take advantage of them through media messages.
The B.A. in Communication at AMU
For adult learners seeking to improve their communication skills, American Military University (AMU) offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Taught by expert instructors, the course for this degree include digital tools and media in communication, mass communication, social media and society, and intercultural communication. Other courses involve communication research skills, ethics in communication, and public speaking.
Students can also choose from one of two concentrations for this bachelor’s degree:
- Digital Communication and Media Design
- Strategic Communication
For more details, visit AMU’s arts and humanities degree program page.
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Dr. Jarrod Sadulski is an associate professor in the School of Security and Global Studies and has over 20 years in the field of criminal justice. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Thomas Edison State College, a master’s degree in criminal justice from American Military University, and a Ph.D. in criminal justice from Northcentral University.
His expertise includes training on countering human trafficking, maritime security, mitigating organized crime, and narcotics trafficking trends in Latin America. Jarrod has also testified to both the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate on human trafficking and child exploitation. He has been recognized by the U.S. Senate as an expert in human trafficking.
Jarrod frequently conducts in-country research and consultant work in Central and South America on human trafficking and current trends in narcotics trafficking. Also, he has a background in business development.