Just because your child has thumbs that fly across their phone’s keyboard at lightning speed, and they’ve figured out a workaround for every limit you’ve put on their screen use doesn’t mean that they have the tech skills and media literacy to succeed in a technological world. Educators point out that many students are lacking in basic skills such as keyboarding, web searching, determining the legitimacy of online sources, and writing effective emails—all skills necessary to succeed in school, work, and life. 

Education Week recently asked experts at Facebook, LinkedIn, and X what tech skills students should have. Here’s what they said:

1. Basic Computer Skills, including how to open files with the appropriate program, save files in an organized manner, find documents, and how to type efficiently with few mistakes. 
2. Digital Communication Skills. This refers to communicating ideas clearly via email, social media, video conferencing, and word-processing and presentation programs. Students should also be able to collaborate and share files digitally in real time or separately. 
3. Cybersecurity: Students must learn how to protect their personal and sensitive information and learn not to share that information. They need to be able to recognize phishing schemes and know when a website is secure and legitimate. 
4. Media Literacy is about having the skills to access information, analyze it, evaluate it, create content, and act on it using all forms of communication (print, TV, internet). With the advent of artificial intelligence, students must be able to think critically and evaluate the authenticity and reliability of what they see and hear online. 
5. Digital Citizenship involves teaching students to use technology thoughtfully, empathetically, and respectfully to enhance safe and welcoming environments.
6. Research/Data Analysis: Students should be able to sift through large amounts of online information and be able to analyze it to determine what’s worthwhile and what’s not.
7. Problem-solving: As technology advances there are greater opportunities to use tech to solve problems and troubleshoot challenges. Giving students experience in these areas will benefit them as they transition through school, work, and life. 
8. Creativity: Digital tools such as digital art, podcasts, and videos can help tap into creativity, connect with others, and foster self-expression and creative thinking. 

Working with your school and your child’s teachers to ensure that they develop these tech skills will increase their future possibilities greatly.