The Humara MIL Kit for the Multiverse of Digital Fallacies is a part of Digital Empowerment Foundation’s Media and Information Literacy (MIL) initiatives to enable people to interpret and make informed judgments as users of information and media, as well as to become skillful creators and producers of information and media messages in their own right. An understanding of MIL would also help communities that are getting online to have a better understanding of misinformation, online trolling, stereotypes, prejudices and other online threats.
Knowledge Spheres
- Media and Information Literacy Skills
- Development of Critical Thinking
- Fact-checking and Verification
- Digital Hygiene and Cybersecurity Awareness
- Ethical Use of Digital Tools
- Community Engagement and Digital Empowerment
- Crisis Response and Education
- Collaboration with Local Institutions
- Adaptive Learning Modules
Knowledge Learnings
A toolkit on media information literacy with comprehensive modules, training and gamification activities on critical digital literacy and staying safe online, along with interactive elements like games, role-play opportunities, and a comic book with unique characters, can be a valuable resource for marginalised and vulnerable communities in the following ways:
- Accessible Learning: Ensure that the toolkit is accessible to diverse audiences. This makes information inclusive and accessible to a broader range of people.
- Empowerment: Such a toolkit empowers marginalised communities with essential digital literacy skills, enabling them to navigate the online world with confidence. This empowerment can help reduce their vulnerability to misinformation, online scams, cyberbullying and other online threats.
- Critical Thinking: The comprehensive modules on critical digital literacy encourage individuals to think critically about the information they encounter online. They can learn how to verify sources, detect biases, and for making informed decisions.
- Online Safety: Staying safe online is paramount, especially for vulnerable populations. The toolkit can provide practical guidance on setting strong passwords, recognising online threats and protecting personal information. It can also teach them how to report online harassment or abuse.
- Engagement through Gamification: Interactive games and role-play activities can make learning more engaging and enjoyable. This approach is particularly effective for marginalised communities who may find traditional educational methods less appealing or intimidating.
- Storytelling and Representation: The comic book with unique characters can facilitate storytelling and story sharing, allowing community members to share their experiences and perspectives. Representation in media is essential, and having relatable characters can help build a sense of belonging and empowerment.
- Community Building: The toolkit can be used in community workshops or training sessions, fostering a sense of solidarity and shared learning among community members. This can lead to the formation of support networks and a stronger community bond.
Activities Conducted
Media Information Literacy Workshops
Workshops on media information literacy (MIL) at the grassroots level in India are essential due to the profound impact online threats have on these communities. As more individuals gain digital access, they become susceptible to online dangers that can result in physical, mental, and tangible effects, deterring them from becoming informed digital citizens.
The ‘Humaara MIL Toolkit for the Multiverse of Digital Fallacies’ addresses these challenges through targeted workshops. These sessions educate participants on critical topics such as misinformation, cybercrime, fake news, online harassment, and cyberbullying. By equipping participants with knowledge and practical skills, the initiative empowers community members to recognize and respond to digital threats, fostering a safer online environment.
A recent training session targeted infopreneurs, aiming to enhance their digital literacy. Participants received essential resources, including guidance on using the cybercrime portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) and the helpline number. Practical exercises familiarized them with navigating the portal and filing complaints, ensuring they could apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Key subjects covered included identifying credible sources to combat misinformation and fake news, protecting personal information against cybercrimes like phishing and identity theft, and strategies for dealing with online harassment and cyberbullying.
By the end of the session, participants left with enhanced digital literacy and practical tools to protect themselves and their communities online. The ‘Humaara MIL Toolkit for the Multiverse of Digital Fallacies’ ensures grassroots communities are aware of digital threats and equipped to mitigate these risks effectively, promoting a safer and more inclusive digital environment.
Images from a training with community members in Rajasthan
Images from a training with community members in Dausa
Images from a training with community members in Uttar Pradesh
Images from a training with community members in Jharkhand
Read reports related to our rural-fact checking project here:
Stories of our Rural-Fact Checkers:
Empowering Rural India: Combating Misinformation and Cyber Fraud Through Digital Literacy in Gutjora
Misinformation and disinformation, particularly in rural areas, have long been societal challenges, exacerbated by limited digital literacy and accessibility. In Jharkhand’s Khunti district, the village of Gutjora is a microcosm of these struggles. This case study explores the critical role played by Anokha Devi, a local InfoPreneur, in empowering her community through digital literacy, combating misinformation, and addressing cyber frauds.
Building Digital Resilience: A Case Study on Mitigating Cyber Fraud Through Grassroots Critical Digital Literacy Development
This case study focuses on the intervention of a SoochnaPreneur, Sumitra Bala Devi, and the impact of digital literacy efforts in the village of Pindrajora, Jharkhand. The incident centers around Renu Devi, a beneficiary who fell victim to a cyber fraud scheme. Through Sumitra Bala Devi’s efforts, part of a broader initiative aimed at mitigating cyber fraud, misinformation, and disinformation in rural areas, the community has gained a better understanding of online threats, with tangible results in preventing future incidents.
Cyber Vulnerability and its Challenges in Rural India
Misinformation and cyber fraud represent increasingly pervasive threats in rural India, where digital literacy remains limited, and access to secure financial platforms is still in its developmental stages. The intersection of technology and rural socio-economic conditions has led to a growing number of vulnerable populations falling victim to fraud. This case study focuses on Yogita Verma, a resident of Kota village in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, and her experience with cyber fraud. Her story exemplifies the broader challenges faced by women in rural areas when engaging with digital technologies, highlighting both the socio-economic and cultural barriers that exacerbate their vulnerability.
The Curious Case of Cyber Fraud at the Grassroots in India
Cyber fraud is a growing menace in rural India, as rapid digitalisation outpaces the spread of digital literacy. Vulnerable communities often fall prey to sophisticated scams that exploit their limited understanding of online safety. Badla village in Jharkhand is a case in point, where a resident, Sasita Oraon, was defrauded of INR 58,000 in a scam involving promises of government subsidies and agricultural equipment.
Hacking Realities: Rural Women and Misinformation Dogma
As social media usage rapidly expands across rural India, it opens new channels of communication and interaction but simultaneously creates opportunities for cybercrime. The perils of digital misuse, including the hacking of social media accounts, are becoming more apparent in rural regions, where many users lack sufficient knowledge of cybersecurity protocols. This case study examines the cybercrime experienced by Premlata Verma, a farmer from Vishrampur village in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh.
(Ph)ishing the Vulnerable: Exploring Critical Digital Literacy Gaps
The cyber fraud incident began when Reena received a phone call from a person claiming to be a senior officer from the “toilet head office” in Lucknow. The caller informed Reena that her household had been approved for a toilet under a government scheme worth ₹36,000. Initially sceptical, Reena questioned the validity of the claim, as she had not applied for such a scheme. However, the fraudster provided details about her husband Sushil Kumar and their two children, which convinced Reena that the call was legitimate.
Unpacking Digital Misinformation and Cultural Vulnerabilities in Rural India
The village of Siyadih is situated in Handia Block, Uttar Pradesh, and is primarily inhabited by women, many of whom are from marginalised communities. The socio-economic conditions of this rural area are representative of much of rural India, where low levels of education and digital literacy, combined with deep-rooted cultural and religious beliefs, contribute to the susceptibility to misinformation.
Fraud in DayLighta
Nonar, a small village in Sakaldhia Block of Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh, represents the socio-economic realities of much of rural India. The population is predominantly engaged in agricultural activities and daily wage labour. Many households in Nonar, like that of Reshma, are dependent on the income of male family members who work in urban centres and send remittances to support their families. Women in these households often manage finances and family affairs in the absence of their husbands, leaving them vulnerable to various forms of exploitation, including cyber fraud.
Digital Deception and the Multiverse of Online Fallacies
Devpura is a small village inhabited by around 700 people from the Banjara community, a traditionally nomadic group classified as a Scheduled Tribe in India. Ashok Banjara’s experience represents the intersection of two crucial issues faced by marginalised communities in rural India—digital vulnerability and cyber fraud.
Combating Digital Frauds and Misinformation in Marginalised Communities
The rapid digitalisation of India has brought unprecedented access to information and communication, particularly in rural areas. However, it has also led to an increase in digital vulnerabilities, particularly for marginalised and socio-economically disadvantaged communities. This case study examines the work of Rekha Sen, a resident of Ratangarh in the Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh, and her role as a rural fact-checker with the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF). Her efforts to combat misinformation, disinformation, and cyber fraud in her community highlight the challenges rural populations face when navigating the digital ecosystem.
Digital Deceit and (Dis)empowerment: The Impact of Cyber Fraud on Rural Women in Rajasthan
In the digital age, the rapid proliferation of technology has brought about numerous opportunities, but it has also introduced new risks, especially for individuals in rural areas with limited digital awareness. This case study focuses on Poonam, a resident of Batesra village in the Ramgarh block of Alwar district, Rajasthan. Despite being an information-savvy individual, Poonam fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud. The case offers valuable insights into the vulnerabilities that rural communities, particularly women, face in navigating the digital landscape. It also reflects on the socio-cultural dynamics of rural India, where traditional gender roles, limited access to technology, and a lack of digital literacy intersect to increase exposure to cyber threats.
Navigating Digital Safety and Digital Disillusionment
Sahrun, a hardworking and honest man, faced financial difficulties and was seeking ways to improve his economic situation. One day, he saw posters circulating in his village advertising an easy loan of Rs. 1,00,000, promising no hassle or upfront costs. Desperate to resolve his financial struggles, he contacted the number listed on the poster. The person on the other end assured him that the loan was legitimate but required an initial deposit of Rs. 2,100. Despite some reservations, Sahrun consulted Poonam, a rural fact-checker from the community, for advice. She warned him that the offer seemed suspicious, but Sahrun, trusting the promise of easy money, proceeded to send the deposit.
Modules on Building Digital and Critical Digital Literacy:
Watch a film on the importance of media information literacy at the grassroot level in India under the Safeguarding Rural India through Critical Digital Literacy with ASPEN and HP India:
Comprehensive Components of the Media Information and Literacy Kit
This video showcases the various ways in which the kit has been developed to ensure a holistic understanding and development of critical thinking and digital analysis capabilities. This includes modules on digital literacy and critical digital literacy, gamification of critical thinking and analysis, role-playing tools to enable ground engagement and communication, games through association among various other components.
Media Coverage on the Initiative
India’s War On Fake News: How Disinformation Became India’s #1 Threat | Fact Vs Fiction by CNA Insider
CNA covered Digital Empowerment Foundation as a case study on the importance of digital literacy and critical digital literacy in a documentary where they meet internet trolls, to understand the financial and ideological motives that compel them into becoming agents of misinformation. They also meet technologists, fact-checkers and grassroots digital activists who are fostering digital literacy and preventing people from falling prey to what commentators have called an “infodemic”.
India and Artificial Intelligence: How Deepfakes are Influencing the City by France 24
France 24 highlights the problem of misinformation fueled by AI in India’s capital, New Delhi, amidst the ongoing marathon voting process. Correspondents Khansa Juned and Léa Delfolie report that the unregulated use of AI and deepfakes has sparked controversies, as political parties increasingly incorporate AI into their campaigns. This burgeoning industry, now valued at $60 million, underscores the significant impact and challenges posed by advanced technologies in shaping public opinion and disseminating information.
India’s Elections Offer a Look at the Problem of Deepfakes by DW News
DW News highlights AI-driven misinformation in New Delhi, with generative AI creating videos of deceased politicians and deepfakes of Bollywood stars. This surge in misleading content, exacerbated by millions of AI-generated voice messages, underscores the urgent need for regulatory guidelines as legal actions and arrests increase.
Read this article by National Security News on ‘Educating Against Deepfakes: India’s Disinformation Battle Offers Crucial Lessons’ that elucidates on India’s proactive battle against disinformation, focusing on empowering informed online users through the knowledge products developed to provide critical digital literacy at the grassroot level in India.
Impact
- 20,000 women have been enabled in critical digital literacy
- 6,000 students have been connected to comprehensive media and information literacy
- 2,000 information agents enabled with critical thinking and online safety and security tools