Digital literacy as a core competency in the fifth industrial revolution

The world is entering the Fifth Industrial Revolution, a new era where advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things work alongside human values such as empathy, creativity, and ethics. Unlike past industrial revolutions focused mainly on machines and automation, this one aims to create a more human centred and sustainable future. In today's evolving world, digital literacy is more essential than ever. It goes beyond simply using devices like computers it involves a deeper understanding of how digital tools function, thinking critically about information, and using technology in safe and responsible ways. In this new age, digital literacy is even more important since people need to work with advanced digital systems, look at complicated data, and work together in virtual environment. Proficiency in digital literacy is currently a very important means for people to fully participate in the digital world, which affects their chances of social inclusion, economic advancement, and access to crucial services (Mejías-Acosta et al., 2024). As societies become more digital, it is more important than ever to be able to use digital technology. This shows how important it is to include digital literacy in education framework (Reddy et al., 2023). The rapid advancement of technology has accentuated the necessity for digital literacy among students, who must possess the skills to critically evaluate digital resources and generate valuable insights (Baterna et al., 2020). Education must integrate digital literacy into the curriculum to equip students with the competencies required for success in the digital era, since these skills enable students to harness digital tools for learning, communication, and problem-solving, fostering innovation and creativity (Reddy et al., 2023). Digital literacy is an essential competency, enabling individuals to engage with technology effectively and responsibly, which is crucial for navigating the complexities of Industry 5.0 (Antoniuk & Zasiadivko, 2023; Joseph & Khan, 2020). As technology becomes more a part of daily life, digital literacy gives people the ability to judge digital tools, think critically, and interact well in digital environments, which helps them reach their personal, academic, and career goals (Jin et al., 2020; Lin et al., 2024).