Omar Martinez on Web Literacy

Really, I have to say, I'm impressed. I had no idea of the complexity of web literacy. Especially, the importance of web literacy on the youth. Don't get me wrong, I understand that the youth is bombarded by technology on a daily basis. And I, like many other people, think of it as something that just happens with the changing of the times. But the good things that come with the explosion of technology and its use in our daily lives also downplays the dangers of the web and repercussions of its use.

For example, after going through the activities on the site. I found the activities on "privacy" on the web. I knew there were cookies that tracked where you've been on the web and what you've done. But I did not realize how much information was gathered about me and my searches on the web just by the use of cookies. And through the activity I found that there is not just one type of cookie but there are so many different types of cookies which do so many things and utilize my data or information in various ways.

Not to mention, these cookies keep a record of my information and send it to companies to tell them what I supposedly like, dislike, want, and look for through a reading of the data from my use of the web. Had I known my information was being utilized to such an extent I would have thought twice before checking my personal banking information and using my credit cards to make purchases on the web. Personally, I had no idea the impact of the web on the privacy we or I should say I hold dearly.

Furthermore, having a two year old nephew who is constantly on my cell phone and on his IPad. I can see the use for such activities to be used in schools and by educators to inform children of the dangers of the web. Making these children, including my nephew literate about the web and its implications is the first step to him and others being safer and more intelligent about what they put on the web and how they use the web. Because it is important to learn that the web is a source from which a plethora of information can be derived and utilized. But to understand how they can protect and maintain their privacy and not become victims of big business and scams. Because just as easily as we can get information from the web it can collect information from us.

And Mozilla's web literacy site develops activities such as the privacy activity among others which help make people literate about the web. In this electronic age, literacy of our resources, especially one as great and perilous as the web is a definite, whether inside or outside of the classroom. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves and the youth. And Mozilla's web literacy allows us to do just without having to be educators but individuals that care about the online identity of our family members, for me, my nephew.