Digital media may cultivate awareness and responsibility in users: A case for optimism

Abstract

If every technology has a bias, then the biases of digital communication technologies include broad superficial contact, unreflective behaviours, and tribalism on the one hand, and cosmopolitan attitudes and a wider circle of care on the other hand. Digital media can help develop awareness and responsibility – if humanity consciously works against the dangerous biases of this medium. To maximize the benefits of digital media, we propose that school curricula focus more on understanding cognitive biases, recognizing nuances and postponing judgement. This article describes a theoretical framework for this change in curricula. Challenges to the ideas of this article are addressed in Appendix 2 through ‘Disputation between the Sceptic and the Believer’.