Indonesia's Digital Literacy Index Improved in 2021

Indonesians' ability to utilize digital information and communication technology is estimated to have improved over the past year.

This is reflected in the report *Status Literasi Digital di Indonesia 2021* (Status of Digital Literacy in Indonesia 2021) released by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics and the Katadata Insight Center (KIC).

According to the report, Indonesia's digital literacy index in 2021 was at 3.49 on a scale of 1-5. This means that, in general, the level of digital literacy among the Indonesian public is "moderate".

As shown in the graph, this index slightly increased compared to 2020, which was at 3.46.

The digital literacy index in this report is measured through four major indicator pillars: Digital Skills, Digital Ethics, Digital Safety, and Digital Culture.

The score for *Digital Culture* showed the highest increase, from 3.55 in 2020 to 3.90 in 2021. This pillar measures internet users' habits such as citing the original author/uploader when reposting, creating posts considering the feelings of readers from different ethnicities, religions, or political viewpoints, enjoying and sharing Indonesian art and cultural content in the digital space, and so on.

The index score for *Digital Skills* also increased from 3.34 in 2020 to 3.44 in 2021. This pillar measures internet users' skills in using computers or gadgets, uploading/downloading data, verifying information from the internet, and so on.

On the other hand, the score for *Digital Ethics* decreased from 3.72 to 3.53. This pillar measures internet users' sensitivity regarding uploading content without permission, making rude comments on social media, respecting privacy on social media, and so on.

The score for *Digital Safety* also decreased from 3.24 to 3.10. This pillar measures internet users' ability to identify and remove spam/malware/viruses from their computers or personal gadgets, data backup habits, personal data protection, and so on.

This index is compiled based on a survey of 10,000 respondents spread across Indonesia's 34 provinces. Respondents were household members aged 13-70 years who had accessed the internet in the last three months.

(Read Also: 60 Percent of Gen Z Have a High Digital Literacy Index)