Abstract
Digital freedom is a form of freedom which enables us to practice our personal autonomy and independence in the digital world. It includes a number of legitimate rights that everyone should have, so that they can freely explore the digital public sphere. Moreover, digital freedom allows us to join and participate in digital communities and form an authentic digital identity in the virtual world that truly represents our identity in the physical world. Just like all forms of freedom, digital freedom has two basic facets: freedom for and freedom from. The first enables us to do something and the second liberates us from something else. For example, freedom of speech allows us to express our genuine views about the world and at the same time protects us from censorship and suppression. Likewise, digital freedom empowers us to freely explore and navigate the digital world and also saves us from hardships such as digital divide and digital discrimination. I believe digital freedom has two more facets: freedom in the digital world and freedom via the digital world. Freedom in the digital world includes legitimate rights for everyone to browse, seek and share information in different digital platforms such as search engines and social networks. Nonetheless, the impact of digital freedom extends far beyond the digital space and it affects almost all aspects of our personal and social life. In the modern world dominated by digital technologies, digital freedom is an indispensable element of social engagement and social connectedness. Without digital freedom we will be more vulnerable to social exclusion and rejection for participation in various social activities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 21-21 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Volume | 41 |
| No. | 7/8 |
| Specialist publication | Incite |
| Publisher | Australian Library and Information Association |
| Publication status | Published - 01 Jul 2020 |
