DIGITAL LITERACY AS A WEAPON AGAINST THE INFORMATION WAR: EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGIES TO RECOGNIZE MANIPULATION

Abstract

Objective. To justify the significance of digital literacy as a mean to counter the information war. To define the components of digital literacy and analyze their impact on the development of critical thinking skills, as well as proposing effective methods and strategies for enhancing digital literacy to safeguard against disinformation and strengthen overall information security. Materials and Methods. The study is grounded in an analysis of scholarly literature pertaining to digital literacy, information warfare, and manipulative techniques. It also encompasses a review of educational programs designed to foster critical thinking skills. The methodology incorporates an examination of regulatory frameworks and legal instruments aimed at promoting digital literacy, alongside a dis-assemblage of the mechanisms through which social media platforms and cognitive biases exert influence. Results. The study revealed that key components of digital literacy, essential for countering information warfare, include human capacities such as the development of critical thinking, the ability to objectively evaluate information sources, and the timely recognition of manipulation and attempts to form cognitive biases. The significant role of education and legal regulation in improving overall digital literacy among the population, creating an information-secure environment, and fostering resilience to disinformation was also confirmed. Furthermore, effective methods and strategies for counteracting manipulations spread through social networks and other media channels were identified, including rigorous verification of any incoming information and the use of modern information protection tools. Finally, the importance of implementing and widely using digital technologies, such as electronic signatures and blockchain, for verifying official content, protecting it from falsification, and increasing the overall level of trust in the disseminated information was emphasized. Conclusion. The research findings confirm that digital literacy is a necessary condition for effectively countering information warfare and protecting citizens from destructive manipulations. The implementation of this approach will significantly strengthen the information security of the country and form a society that is resistant to disinformation and capable of critically evaluating incoming information. Such a conclusion has practical significance for the development of digital literacy in the context of modern society, requiring a comprehensive approach that includes educational initiatives, appropriate legal regulation, and the active implementation of advanced information technologies.