Digital Literacy campaigns matter now

The Milestone School tragedy in July shook us all. A military jet crashed into the school building, shattering our children's lives, families, futures, and any sense of normalcy. But the second wave of shock came not from the sky, but from our screens. Within minutes, graphic videos filled social media with the photos and videos of burned classrooms, injured children, grieving parents- all shared without consent or warning.

Rumours spread quickly, was it pilot error or Air Force negligence? Some even added music, filters, and logos, turning human loss into viral content. The experience was terrible, first by the crash, then by the online chaos. It wasn't just a failure in the skies, but a failure of empathy, as the race for likes stripped away respect for the victims' privacy.

And it raises a necessary question that Are we, as a digital society, equipped to handle tragedy online? The answer is painfully a No!

Bangladesh is going through a significant political transition, and we can expect many incidents every now and then.

Let's not forget the quota movement last year, a reminder that misinformation and disinformation often arise from uninformed and unethical digital usage. Campaigns and programs to address this are much needed right now.

Digital literacy should be given importance as formal education or healthcare nowadays because it shapes how people respond online and recover after a tragedy.

As a communications professional, I have seen how powerful online campaigns can be in changing minds, protecting children, and empowering communities. But reacting after a crisis is not enough.

We need research-driven long-term strategies that prepare people before harm happens. Campaigns should do more than raise awareness; they should help people understand how to deal with fear, uncertainty, and false information during a crisis.

That's why large-scale online campaigns for digital literacy must come from responsible, high-visibility platforms, profiles, and pages that people trust and follow, and where millions tune in daily.

These digital spaces shape narratives and public sentiment. The private sector must also step up. Giants in telecoms, nonprofits, tech and media can design and invest in long-term social media literacy campaigns, leveraging their data, resources, and influence to promote responsible online behaviour. It's time digital responsibility is seen not as corporate charity but as a shared civic duty.

Digital literacy means more than just knowing how to use devices or apps. It's about understanding how to navigate online spaces responsibly and ethically, verifying information before sharing, respecting others' privacy, and recognising harmful content like misinformation or hate speech.

The target audiences include everyone from young students and parents to teachers, community leaders, and everyday social media users. We have spent decades promoting literacy in classrooms.

It is now time to promote 'digital literacy' through digital platforms. Because the classroom is online, the conversation is online, and so is the harm.

The author is a Communications Expert who has worked at Save the Children, CARE and is currently working at Synergos, can be found at afrinsaba9192@gmail.com