What happened to teaching actual digital literacy skills in elementary instead of just device management?

Been thinking about this a lot lately. When I was in school we learned typing, how to use word processors, basic troubleshooting, file management. Now I watch elementary kids who can navigate Instagram perfectly but don't know how to create a folder or attach a document to an email.

We've got a whole generation that's "tech native" but only for consumption not creation or productivity. They can swipe and tap but ask them to format a document or organize files and they're completely lost.

Feels like curriculum shifted to "here's how to behave online safely" (which is important) but forgot to teach the actual skills they'll need for any job ever. Or is this just my district?

What are other schools doing for digital literacy that's actually practical?

Submitted February 11, 2026 at 01:35AM by MagnusChased https://ift.tt/EpY1UaT