Development of Digital Literacy in Marginalized Communities: A Case Study of Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

The Thai government's USO net policy formulated a comprehensive plan aimed at providing communication facilities and fostering digital literacy to support marginalized communities. This research aimed to explore and develop digital literacy in a marginalized community, Pilok Village, located on the Thai-Myanmar border in Kanchanaburi Province. The village experienced a mining boom in the 1940s but suffered from the 1985 tin market crash. In recent years, the village has emerged as a tourist destination. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with community members, and later three digital literacy workshops were conducted over two years after a digital media center was installed.

Before the training, villagers were already familiar with mobile phone usage and the Line application for communication. However, their digital literacy was primarily confined to mobile devices and a limited number of applications. Following the workshops, a significant number of villagers demonstrated an improved understanding of digital devices and a broader range of useful applications, particularly those relevant to homestay and tourism services. The findings of this study corroborated earlier research, highlighting the vulnerability of youth in terms of digital literacy. Merely providing access to digital devices is insufficient; it is crucial to develop analytical skills and promote critical evaluation of media usage among marginalized individuals. By doing so, they can become well-informed netizens and navigate the digital landscape more effectively.