THE IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL LITERACY IN HIGH SCHOOL

Abstract

Digital literacy, understood as the ability to access, understand, evaluate and use digital technologies in a critical and ethical manner, has become an essential skill in the contemporary educational context. This study aims to analyze the importance of digital literacy in secondary education, highlighting its impact on students' academic, social and civic development. The research also seeks to understand the inequalities in access to technologies and the challenges faced in integrating them into pedagogical practices. The methodology used was based on a theoretical and documentary review, based on authors such as Castells, Lévy, Buckingham and Freire, as well as institutional reports and public policies focused on education and technology. This approach allowed us to examine the multiple dimensions of digital literacy, including the role of schools, teachers and students in building digital skills. The expected results point to the recognition of digital literacy as an indispensable factor in the comprehensive education of young people, contributing to the personalization of teaching, the strengthening of collaborative work and the ethical formation in the use of technologies. However, challenges were also identified, such as inequalities in access, lack of infrastructure and the need for teacher training. This study reinforces the importance of inclusive public policies and investments in technology and training to overcome barriers and ensure that digital literacy is a tool for social and educational transformation in secondary education.