To realise Southeast Asia (SEA)’s USD 2 trillion digital economy aspiration, ASEAN member states are prioritising national capability building initiatives, including a pivot toward facilitating “digital literacy for all.”
Recent framing by UNESCO in 2018 demonstrates that the bar for digital skills to meaningfully participate in the digital space has risen. Apart from Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and computer literacy, it now encompasses information literacy, media literacy, and cyber hygiene.
In SEA, definitions of digital literacy, and subsequent frameworks to guide in skills acquisition, have been varied, with an initial attempt at a common regional understanding presented in the Framework for Digital Readiness among ASEAN Citizens. National digital literacy levels are similarly diverse. In a recent ASEAN Foundation report, SEA-6’s average share of respondents considered highly competent across the identified digital literacy dimensions was at 47%.
Should the digital literacy gap continue to persist, Southeast Asia will grow increasingly vulnerable to threats to online safety such as scams, fraud, data privacy breaches and cybercrimes. Disparities in ability to navigate the digital space is also seen to contribute in widening the developmental divide and limiting the impact of digital transformation on economic activities.
This brief builds on the Tech for Good Institute’s (TFGI) A Framework for Confident Digital Society, where digital literacy is seen as a core component for citizens to engage in nation building. It outlines the potential strategic priorities for the region to systematically facilitate digital skills development.
Key Policy Considerations
In order for SEA-6 to deliver on the promise of “digital literacy for all,” the brief proposes three areas of focus for developing a holistic and adaptive approach.
Grounding the digital literacy agenda in a national strategy that considers, among others, an overarching governance structure and a localised digital skills framework, ensures that skills development is streamlined and standardised across different population groups. Countries can build on existing global references such as the European Commission’s Digital Competence Framework for Citizens 2.2 and ITU Digital Skills Toolkit.
This includes accelerating the nationwide rollout of high-capacity technology infrastructure, standardising education technology requirements for institutions, and encouraging digital competency attainment amongst instructors. Having the right people, resources and infrastructure in place minimises drift in the implementation of digital skills strategies.
Governments can construct localised performance assessment frameworks, monitoring tools, and key performance indicators to enable timely and evidence-backed responses to new developments during implementation. Employing a whole-of-society, consultative process helps facilitate fit-for-purpose solutions.
This policy brief provides broad guidelines to consider in designing national digital literacy initiatives. As digital technologies mature, the demand for digital skills will continue to evolve, requiring governments to be more agile in responding. Regional cooperation in areas like skills taxonomies and knowledge-sharing can further support in future-proofing Southeast Asia’s digital skills development.
