Digital Literacy is the "ability to use informational communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills". -- American Library Association
In other words, it is having good technology skills along with a thinking skill that makes it easier to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information using a variety of technologies.
Find – This element of digital literacy encompasses the ability to find information online and “consume” digital resources (reading online articles, eTextbooks, social media, video clips, etc.). Digital resources include so much more than traditional print. For example, Knowing where to find an article requires using a search engine or navigating a database, then choosing how to read the article – read it now, bookmark it for later, or download it. The article itself may have links, images, and other interactive features.
Create – Digital resources and online platforms offer many ways for users to create content, such as blogs, email, social media, graphics, videos, and podcasts. Creating content in digital spaces also allows collaboration and greater sharing and publishing opportunities. Users may need to create for class assignments, work projects, or hobbies.
Evaluate – As users find and create content online, they will need to evaluate the quality of the resource, among other qualities. The appropriateness of content will change depending on the content, context, purpose, and other factors. Use the C.A.A.R.P. test to evaluate the usefulness of digital resources.
Communicate – Online and digital resources have greatly increased our ability to communicate with each other. Communication apps such as email, messaging, video calling, and social media are the most common apps for smartphones. And each of those categories has dozens of options to choose from. Which one to use for which type of communication is an important digital literacy skill we all use day to day. An additional aspect of this element is adjusting our language style between the different modes of communication.