#digital-literacy — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #digital-literacy, aggregated by home.social.
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Why do we trust chatbots and how can we use them more wisely? A psychologist explains
#Tech #AI #Chatbots #ChatGPT #Psychology #Misinformation #Truth #MediaLiteracy #Trust #Democracy #DigitalLiteracy #AIEthics #Search
https://the-14.com/why-do-we-trust-chatbots-and-how-can-we-use-them-more-wisely-a-psychologist-explains/ -
🎓 Back to school doesn’t have to mean back to subscriptions.
LibreOffice, GIMP, Inkscape, Zotero, VSCodium and Linux give students powerful tools to learn, create and explore without being locked into proprietary ecosystems.
Digital literacy should be more than learning how to use one company’s products. It should include understanding and controlling our technology.
Put a little more open into education. 🇨🇦🐧
📷 Antoni Shkraba / Pexels
#OpenSource #Linux #FOSS #Education #DigitalLiteracy -
The Conversation: 41% of surveyed Australian teens now get their news from AI: new research. “Since 2017, we have been tracking young people’s media engagement, to understand how they get their news. This time, we found some young people are bypassing traditional outlets, reducing their use of social media sources and getting their news from artificial intelligence (AI) summaries using […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/09/01/41-of-surveyed-australian-teens-now-get-their-news-from-ai-new-research-the-conversation/ -
Add this to the UK #postOfficeScandal & the Dutch child benefits scandal. No one committed suicide or got jailed, but German education was disrupted for DECADES, because an undiagnosed computer error contradicted direct evidence more teachers were needed.
#AIEthics #AIAct #devOps #digitalLiteracy
From the technology community ... -
NPR: We tested how AI chatbots would handle foreign propaganda. They did surprisingly well. “Since AI chatbots exploded in popularity and Google started offering AI-generated answers, people who research foreign influence campaigns have expressed concern that some governments may poison AI-generated answers with false narratives. But an experiment NPR conducted with NewsGuard, a company that […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/08/31/npr-we-tested-how-ai-chatbots-would-handle-foreign-propaganda-they-did-surprisingly-well/ -
A neighbor of our founder's, in his 70s, kept falling for scam sites and "miracle" ads, so we built Credibility Meter, a free, open-source Chrome extension that flags urgency, fake authority, and sales tricks on any page.
Opt-in, 100% local, no accounts, GPLv3.
https://tinyurl.com/3dmb6zkmRead the code here: https://tinyurl.com/2t39wyts
Firefox port coming.
Support our other products:
https://tinyurl.com/yzpzzt6j -
Offloading work tasks to AI comes with a cost – to our brains
#Technology #AI #Brain #CriticalThinking #AIAtWork #DigitalLiteracy #FutureOfWork #HumanIntelligence #WorkplaceAI #AIEthics #Cognition #Work
https://the-14.com/offloading-work-tasks-to-ai-comes-with-a-cost-to-our-brains/ -
The print edition of "Children and Adolescents in the Age of #GenerativeAI" by Isabell Baumann, Georg Mein & Johannes Pause is now available.
Commissioned by Luxembourg's Ministry of Education, this white paper analyses AI-related risks in young people's internet use, with six strategic recommendations including an assessment of BEE SECURE's #DigitalLiteracy work.
Digital edition free under CC BY-SA 4.0 (#OpenAccess).
https://doi.org/10.26298/1984-4142 -
Understanding WCAG 2.2 as ePub and PDF
Comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49271442
#HackerNews #WCAG22 #ePub #PDF #Accessibility #DigitalLiteracy #WebStandards
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Using AI
You can use AI when you are more intelligent than AI. But when AI is more intelligent, the opposite can happen. -
Cornell Chronicle: Cornell expands AI Critical Literacy Program for incoming students. “After a successful pilot launch in the spring, Cornell’s AI Critical Literacy Program will be offered in the fall to all incoming students as well as other interested students, faculty members and staff. The expanded program will feature four modules – ‘What is Generative AI?’; ‘Ethical Questions […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/08/14/cornell-chronicle-cornell-expands-ai-critical-literacy-program-for-incoming-students/ -
Science Literacy Project: Disinformation that spreads during heat waves. “Extreme weather typically brings a storm of disinformation with it; this [summer 2026] heat wave is no different.”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/08/12/science-literacy-project-disinformation-that-spreads-during-heat-waves/ -
NiemanLab: We analyzed 6,400 New York Times stories to find out how comments change when you give readers more information. “Data journalists have sometimes wondered whether loading a story with data can be overwhelming rather than clarifying. We found that giving readers more information changes who comments, and how.”
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/08/12/niemanlab-we-analyzed-6400-new-york-times-stories-to-find-out-how-comments-change-when-you-give-readers-more-information/ -
What are your favorite pieces of transformative journalism?
This one made me think of Nellie Bly's 'Ten Days in a Madhouse' - reincarnated as a comedic adventure to soften the blow of a hard truth about #ai
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#journalism #writers #writing #literature #criticalcommentary #investigativejouralism #oss #selfhost #ytreview #solarpunkpraxis #genZ #digitalliteracy #comedy #journalism -
DATE: August 10, 2026 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Fear of missing out on AI is linked to anxiety and depression
URL: https://www.psypost.org/fear-of-missing-out-on-ai-is-linked-to-anxiety-and-depression/
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the modern workplace, but it is also generating a new kind of anxiety about being left behind. A recent study published in Telematics and Informatics Reports found that an emerging condition called the fear of missing out on artificial intelligence is linked to higher levels of depression and anxiety. Enhancing a person’s practical understanding of these tools appears to buffer against this psychological burden.
As generative artificial intelligence systems become integrated into daily life, basic proficiency with the technology is increasingly tied to job security. This rapid transition has introduced new psychological pressures. Researchers refer to one specific anxiety as the fear of missing out on artificial intelligence. This concept describes the worry that a person’s technological skills or access are lagging behind their peers, potentially costing them future social or economic benefits.
Chi-Lin Yu, a psychology researcher at Oklahoma State University, led the investigation into this phenomenon. Previous research had established a scale to measure this specific fear in Chinese populations. Yu sought to validate an English version of the questionnaire and determine how widespread the anxiety is in the United States.
The research also explored whether practical knowledge of artificial intelligence or general feelings about the technology influenced these fears. Finally, the study examined whether this modern anxiety is tied to broader mental health consequences. Measuring these impacts provides insight into how rapid technological shifts create hidden burdens for the public.
To answer these questions, Yu surveyed 557 adults in the United States using an online research platform. The participant pool was selected to approximate national census benchmarks for age, gender, and race. Participants first completed a 26-item questionnaire designed to measure their fear of missing out on artificial intelligence.
The survey asked participants to rate their agreement with various anxiety-related statements. For instance, questions asked if respondents were exhausted by the energy required to keep up with the field, or if they felt anxious seeing others use the tools skillfully.
The original Chinese survey grouped these fears into three distinct categories: worries about falling behind, concerns about lacking access, and anxiety about missing out on economic rewards. Yu found that for the English-speaking sample, these specific concerns merged into one dominant, generalized fear.
The results showed that most people are not currently experiencing high levels of this generalized fear. A meaningful minority, however, reported elevated anxiety. More than one in nine participants scored high on the overall scale.
When looking at specific questions, the distress was even more common. Nearly forty percent of the respondents agreed that they were concerned the technology was developing faster than they expected. Demographic analysis revealed that younger adults and women were more likely to report these fears. Income and educational background did not alter the results, suggesting the anxiety spans various socioeconomic classes.
Next, the study measured the participants’ objective knowledge and their subjective attitudes toward the technology. To assess literacy, participants took a 20-item multiple-choice test evaluating their practical competence. The test covered topics like how large language models work, data privacy, and algorithmic bias. A large language model is the underlying architecture that powers popular chatbots by predicting and generating human-like text.
To measure attitudes, participants rated their excitement or concern regarding the potential benefits and risks of the technology. The survey captured both positive feelings about utility and negative feelings about issues like loss of control. Yu then analyzed how these two factors interacted with the fear of missing out.
The analysis revealed that actual literacy was the central factor in shaping a person’s fear. Participants who scored higher on the practical knowledge test reported lower levels of anxiety about falling behind. General attitudes about whether artificial intelligence is good or bad did not predict a person’s fear of missing out. Building competence with the tools served as a protective buffer, while a lack of understanding made individuals more vulnerable to feeling left behind.
These findings suggest a practical roadmap for addressing the anxiety in professional and educational settings. If a lack of literacy drives the fear of missing out, workplaces and schools could implement introductory training programs to build confidence. Learning simple tasks, such as generating meeting summaries or drafting emails, might be enough to ease the psychological burden. Shifting the public focus from the overwhelming speed of technological progress to accessible, everyday learning could help protect mental health.
The final portion of the study investigated how this specific technological anxiety relates to overall well-being. Participants completed standard clinical questionnaires measuring how often they experienced symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety over the previous two weeks. They also answered a survey assessing their general life satisfaction.
The data revealed a direct link between the fear of missing out on artificial intelligence and broader mental health struggles. Higher scores on the technological anxiety scale predicted greater symptoms of both anxiety and depression. The increase in depressive symptoms, in turn, predicted a drop in the participants’ overall life satisfaction. Experiencing this specialized fear acts as a psychological weight associated with poorer mental health.
While the findings highlight a new digital stressor, the research relies on data collected at a single point in time. This approach means the study can identify strong patterns but cannot definitively prove that the technological fear causes the depression or anxiety symptoms. It is possible that individuals who already experience higher levels of depression are simply more prone to worrying about falling behind. Future research will need to track participants over time or test whether educational interventions directly reduce these anxieties.
Additionally, the survey focused exclusively on adults in the United States using an online platform. Because these participants might be more comfortable with technology than the general public, the prevalence of these fears might look different in other populations. Different cultures might also frame technological advancement as either an opportunity or a threat, which could alter how people experience this psychological burden. Tracking these differences globally will help determine how the rapid evolution of digital tools impacts public health.
The study, “Fear of missing out on AI: A psychological cost of technological revolution,” was authored by Chi-Lin Yu.
URL: https://www.psypost.org/fear-of-missing-out-on-ai-is-linked-to-anxiety-and-depression/
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Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #FearOfMissingOutonAI #AIPsychology #TechAnxiety #DigitalLiteracy #AILiteracy #MentalHealthTechnology #DepressionAndAnxiety #AIInWorkplace #TechEducation #GenerativeAI
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A Philosopher’s One-Word Theory for Why the World Feels So Weird
Derek Thompson interviewed Agnes Callard about the idea of the unicontext. I thought it was a useful framework for thinking through how we experience the world right now - and why it leads to certain behaviors and archetypes among people. It reminded me a lot of No Place for Grace by T. Jackson Lears on how people reacted to a change in how the world felt back in the 1900s. https://pca.st/episode/e532add7-6cfb-491c-97e3-f9d9549be4fb Unicontext & Why Everything On The Internet Looks The Same […]https://www.nateshivar.com/37465/a-philosophers-one-word-theory-for-why-the-world-feels-so-weird/
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Manchmal ist der Feed wie ein schlecht sortierter Dachboden: viel Zeug, wenig davon braucht man wirklich.
Das Problem ist nur: Wenn derselbe Mist oft genug zwischen brauchbaren Dingen liegt, wirkt er irgendwann normal. Ich sortiere inzwischen härter aus. Nicht weil ich nur noch sehen will, was mir gefällt. Sondern weil ich unterscheiden möchte zwischen „unangenehm, aber wichtig“ und schlichtem Lärm.
Das ist ein Unterschied.
#Mastodon #Tech #MediaLiteracy #DigitalLiteracy #MentalHealth
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As AI becomes more sophisticated, learning how to identify AI-generated content is becoming an essential skill. Monash University is partnering with a cybersecurity company to help prepare the next generation with the knowledge to navigate an AI-driven world. Watch the story below. #AI #Cybersecurity #DigitalLiteracy #Education #ArtificialIntelligence
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🔍 Digital literacy isn't just knowing how to use tech, it's interpreting what it produces, recommends and conceals. Join "Reading the Digital, Reading the Message" and discover the DIGI-ME 5-lens reading framework 👉 https://digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu/en/latest/events/reading-digital-reading-message-digital-literacy-media-literacy-digi-me #DigitalLiteracy #DIGIME
🔍 Digital literacy isn't just knowing how to use tech, it's interpreting what it produces, recommends and conceals.
Join "Reading the Digital, Reading the Message" and discover the DIGI-ME 5-lens reading framework 👉
digital-skills-jobs.europa.e…#DigitalLiteracy #DIGIME
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https://nitter.net/DigitalSkillsEU/status/2084928836567769578#m -
The Conversation: How to do your own online health research like a scientist – a biostatistician’s step‑by‑step guide. “I am a biostatistician by training. In my work, I study how medical evidence is generated and interpreted. I have been on the other side of that process, trying to make sense of medical information that could affect my health or the health of my loved ones. Over time, […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/08/05/the-conversation-how-to-do-your-own-online-health-research-like-a-scientist-a-biostatisticians-step-by-step-guide/ -
AI tools are useful only when people know how to evaluate them.
Join us and the Office of New York City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa for a free virtual AI 101 workshop on prompts, privacy, accuracy, and civic AI tools.
📅 Tuesday, August 4, at 12 pm ET
🔗 RSVP: https://www.beta.nyc/event/e260804 -
So every website on the internet is saved on physical storage.
This physical storage is called servers.
These servers are far away from your house and only accessible through the internet.Now let's get back to iCloud.
iCloud is space on Apple's servers, accessed over the internet. It's used for backups, syncing photos across devices, and storing files in iCloud Drive.
#Apple #iCloud #iPhone #technology #CloudComputing #TechExplained #TechTips #DigitalLiteracy #AppleTips
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Vielleicht verlieren wir durch Technik nicht zuerst Fähigkeiten, sondern Geduld.
Wir lassen uns Texte zusammenfassen, bevor wir ihnen selbst begegnet sind. Das Ergebnis ist schneller da. Aber manchmal entsteht ein eigener Gedanke gerade dort, wo ein Text unbequem wird, abschweift oder uns kurz aufhält.
Wie viel Denken steckt eigentlich in den Minuten, die wir sparen?
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TechSpot: Meta is bragging about how its AI keeps people on Instagram, while facing lawsuits over addiction. “Social media addiction has been a subject of public debate for years, but time spent on apps like TikTok and Instagram keeps climbing. Meta has now confirmed it’s using AI to personalize the Instagram feed, and that shift is driving a sharp increase in the amount of time users spend on […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/07/31/techspot-meta-is-bragging-about-how-its-ai-keeps-people-on-instagram-while-facing-lawsuits-over-addiction/ -
The Conversation: Meta‑backed research finds exposure to ‘untrustworthy’ social media is rare. The fine print is less reassuring. “A new study published today in Science Advances offers the most rigorous answers yet. It comes from a collaboration between Meta and academic researchers who studied the 2020 United States election. It was run from inside the machine – on the live feeds of […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/07/31/the-conversation-meta-backed-research-finds-exposure-to-untrustworthy-social-media-is-rare-the-fine-print-is-less-reassuring/ -
UC Berkeley: Does misinformation on Facebook and Instagram change what you believe?. “The experiment was successful in changing what people saw: participants assigned to the intervention were exposed to roughly 70% less content from untrustworthy sources. However, their political beliefs and attitudes did not measurably change, even among those who were previously exposed to the most content […]
https://rbfirehose.com/2026/07/30/uc-berkeley-does-misinformation-on-facebook-and-instagram-change-what-you-believe/ -
Open source thrives because people share their knowledge and help one another.
Whether you write code, test software, create documentation, translate projects, organize events, or simply encourage others to try Linux, your contribution matters.
The Linux Association of Canada is building a welcoming community where everyone can participate.
🌐 https://linuxassociation.ca�
#Linux #OpenSource #Canada #DigitalLiteracy #FOSS #Community -
"“More and more, I was getting questions about, ‘How do I turn this [AI] stuff off? Why is it trying to write my emails for me? Why is it trying to summarize my one-sentence email that I can easily read?’” Cyrus said. “I just decided that with so much media hype out there about AI products, it would be a good opportunity to teach people about the basics of what is happening when you’re using this technology, and then getting into how to turn it off if you don’t want to use it.”
Usually, Cyrus’ classes like Intro to Computers get about a dozen attendees. But so many people expressed interest in her first Avoiding AI workshop that she had to cut off registration at 30 people, open a waitlist, and share the workshop on Zoom. Including the livestream, about 70 people attended each of Cyrus’ first two workshops.
When Bailey followed Cyrus’ lead to host a workshop in Philadelphia, the reception was similarly unprecedented. The library’s Instagram post about the “Avoiding AI” event got over 2,000 likes and 220 shares, whereas most of the library’s posts don’t get more than a few dozen likes. He scheduled a second program because the first got too many registrations."