Digital literacy vital to UK's future

Improved digital literacy is vital to the success of the UK and the government should do more to educate citizens, according to delegates at the Virtual Voices event in Bristol.

After a series of debates and workshops all attendees at last week's conference agreed that digital literacy is "crucial" to the UK's global competitiveness.

Virtual Voices brought together young people, educators, policymakers and media figures to discuss digital literacy.

The consensus was that young people must be taught how to separate myth from reality on the internet, as well as how to communicate effectively online.

Iain Dale, a political activist and keynote speaker at the event, said: " There has never been more of an opportunity for young people to get involved with decision making through media.

"It is possible to influence opinion, organise campaigns and comment on any view that seems biased in a way that has never been possible before.

"Developing skills in media literacy is essential not only for those young people who want to work in the industry, but for anybody who wants to understand the world around them and have their say on it. Today everyone has a voice."

Virtual Voices was organised by South West Screen, a development agency for the creative media industries in the south west of England.