LABUAN BAJO TERKINI – What do you know about literacy? Literacy is a very important aspect and can be used as an indicator of resource quality not only as an innovation, but also as a basic need.
As a generation connected to technology since birth, Generation Z’s mindset tends to lead to instant solutions. This is characterized by their daily life that relies heavily on information and communication technology, where smartphones and the internet are an inseparable part of their routine.
Indonesia is listed as one of the countries with the lowest reading interest in the world. According to the Head of Riau Province’s Information Communication and Statistics Agency (Diskominfotik), Erisman Yahya, data from UNESCO shows that Indonesia is the second lowest in terms of global literacy.
This reflects the low interest in reading in our society, where only 1 in 1,000 people have good reading habits, with a percentage that only reaches 0.001 percent.
The habit of reading short and dense information on social media such as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok is the main cause of the decline in literacy levels among Generation Z.
As a result, they often face difficulties in understanding long and complex texts. As a result, they often face difficulties in understanding long and complex texts. other factors such as limited access to books are also an obstacle.
The high price of books and the lack of libraries in their area make it difficult for Generation Z to obtain quality reading materials.
The rapid development of technology also affects the low literacy rate, with many of them preferring entertainment such as video games and YouTube over reading books.
Limited insight and a negative mindset make one vulnerable to misinformation. Lack of interest in reading also hinders the development of creativity, as a creative mindset needs to be trained through reading.
Therefore, to support reading habits and improve literacy among Gen Z, various initiatives and programs have been launched.
One that stands out is the digital literacy program initiated by UNICEF. The program is designed to strengthen Gen Z’s digital skills through training in the use of technology as well as providing access to digital libraries that can expand their knowledge.
It also emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity, internet etiquette and how to filter valid information online. Thus, Gen Z will not only become more proficient in technology, but also smarter and wiser in utilizing digital information for personal and community development.
Thus, Generation Z is a group born and raised in the digital age, where the internet and technological devices have become an integral part of their daily lives. In this context, parents’ approach to parenting has also undergone significant changes, with many utilizing technology as a tool for learning and entertainment.
Therefore, increasing reading interest among Gen Z requires the implementation of digital literacy, which is highly relevant. Digital literacy gives them access to diverse sources of information, such as e-books, scientific articles and digital libraries.
This not only broadens their horizons, but also equips them with the essential skill of sifting through quality information. Thus, technology can be positively utilized to enrich Generation Z’s knowledge and reading habits.
Oleh: Mariana Bonafaustina Salut – Mahasiswa Prodi Bahasa Inggris Unika St Paulus Ruteng Manggarai
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