Improving digital literacy in Beleke Daye Village to counter hoaxes and protect personal data

Abstract

In the era of digital technological advancement, access to information is becoming increasingly easy to obtain, but the risk of the spread of fake news and threats to the security of personal data is also increasing. The lack of digital literacy makes rural communities vulnerable to disinformation and data misuse. This activity aims to improve the digital literacy of the Beleke Daye village community through interactive socialization held on August 12, 2025, involving 40 participants from village officials, youth, and housewives. The material covers an introduction to the characteristics of hoaxes, fact-checking practices, and personal data protection through account privacy settings and the use of strong passwords. Evaluation was conducted through reflective discussion and simple measurement of participants' condition before and after the activity. The results show significant improvements, including an increase in knowledge about hoaxes from 25% to 85%, the habit of verifying information from 20% to 80%, and data privacy awareness from 15% to 75%. Simple and contextual practice- based socialization proved effective in improving digital understanding among rural communities and raising awareness of the importance of protecting personal data.