digital literacy Archives

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

Tajikistan Launches ORIZ Messenger for Digital Sovereignty and Data Security

Tajikistan has launched the Oriz Messenger, a messaging application aimed at enhancing communication within the nation. The app focuses on user privacy and data security, features a user-friendly interface, and includes functionalities tailored to local preferences, such as support for regional languages and culturally relevant emojis. This initiative is part of the Tajik government's strategy to promote digital literacy and reduce reliance on foreign applications, fostering the country's digital economy.

AppWizard

October 24, 2025

Students invited to reimagine AO in Minecraft Education

The AO Schools Block Buster Tennis Challenge is a national competition in Australia for students in Years 4 to 12, organized by the Australian Open and the Australian Esports League. Participants create designs of the Australian Open precinct using Minecraft Education, focusing on themes of creativity, sustainability, and technology. Over 100 schools are enrolled for the 2025 competition, which features a prize pool exceeding ,000, including experiences at AO 2026. The challenge has different themes for various year levels: - Years 4–6: Design a sustainable fan zone. - Years 7–9: Redesign a key stadium and interconnected facilities. - Years 10–12: Reimagine the entire AO precinct. Key dates include registration closing on October 31, 2025, submissions due by November 28, 2025, marking completed by December 15, 2025, and winners announced on December 16, 2025. Schools can register at the AEL website. The event is not sponsored or endorsed by Microsoft Corporation or Mojang AB.

AppWizard

September 25, 2025

Meta Expands Teen Protections on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger

Meta is expanding its protections for teen users on Instagram and Facebook globally, having initially launched these measures in the U.S. last year. The initiative includes automatic restrictions on interactions with certain profiles for users identified as under 18, limitations on viewable content, and alerts about time spent on the platforms. Meta has now placed hundreds of millions of teens in Teen Accounts and is enhancing its age detection systems to prevent users from misrepresenting their age. Additionally, Meta is launching a School Partnership Program for U.S. middle and high schools, allowing educators to report safety concerns directly for expedited review, and has partnered with Childhelp to create an online safety curriculum. These efforts aim to improve the safety of young users and align with growing regulatory focus on social media access for minors.

AppWizard

September 20, 2025

Blockchain Based Messaging App Market Segmentation Analysis by Application, Type, and Key Players-Signal Foundation, Telegram Messenger, WhatsApp Inc., WeChat, Matrix.org

The global market for Blockchain Based Messaging Apps is projected to grow to USD 5.5 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.5% from 2025 to 2031. The market is expected to reach USD 1.2 billion by 2024. Key drivers of this growth include concerns over data privacy and security, the demand for decentralized communication solutions, and the integration of decentralized identity management and smart contracts. Adoption is anticipated across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, particularly in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government. Factors supporting future growth include technological advancements, expanding applications across various industries, favorable government policies, and increased investment in research and development. Key players in the market include Signal Foundation, Telegram Messenger, WhatsApp Inc., WeChat, Matrix.org, Status.im, Mainframe, Holochain, Sphinx Chat, Oraculos, Blockstream, and Pigeon Messenger.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Minecraft Education teaches kids the dangers of AI through a noir detective lens — encouraging artificial intelligence literacy

On September 16, 2025, Minecraft launched a program called Reed Smart: AI Detective aimed at players aged 8 to 18, focusing on enhancing information literacy in the context of artificial intelligence. The game consists of three acts: 1. The Deepest Fake - Players learn to discern authenticity in AI-generated videos. 2. An Ode to Deception - Players explore tools for detecting AI-generated content and the importance of human judgment. 3. Dine & Deceive - Players identify falsehoods created by AI and learn verification techniques. The game encourages players to engage in interviews, contextualize statements, and recognize AI misuse, fostering skills such as lateral reading and fact-checking. As players progress, the game's visual representation changes from monochrome to vibrant colors, symbolizing their growth in information literacy. Reed Smart: AI Detective is available for download on the Minecraft: Education Library and the Minecraft Marketplace, with additional resources provided by Microsoft for further learning about AI literacy.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Queens students advance in Minecraft esports competition ahead of NYC’s first-ever Video Game Festival

On May 5, over 270 students from Queens participated in the semi-finals of the 2025 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs at Thomas Edison High School. The event was organized by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, NYC Public Schools, and the National Esports Association. This year's competition saw 3,295 students submit 659 entries, a 37% increase from last year and more than double the participation from 2023. Participants used Minecraft Education to create models of a sustainable New York City. The winning teams from Queens are: - Elementary Division: Team Sigma from PS 24 Andrew Jackson, led by Kerry McGarvey and Principal Bani Singh. - Middle School Division: Neo NYC from J.H.S. 185 Edward Bleeker, coached by Ana Silva-Collins under Principal Michael Leung. - High School Division: Diamond Sword Bustamoney from World Journalism Preparatory School, guided by Ernest Lai and Principal Michael Roberts Bacchus. These teams will represent Queens in the Mayor’s Cup Minecraft Education finals during the NYC Video Game Festival at Convene Brookfield Place in Manhattan. The festival will feature esports competitions, virtual reality experiences, indie game demonstrations, cosplay contests, and a career expo focused on the digital games industry. Deputy Mayor Adolfo Carrión Jr. highlighted the event's role in promoting career-connected learning and the city's digital economy. The final round will take place on May 31.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

Digital Content Observatory Warns of Rising Blackmail via Instant Messaging Apps

The Digital Content Observatory has reported a significant increase in digital blackmail cases linked to instant messaging applications, driven by the rise in their use across various age groups and a lack of awareness about associated risks. Blackmail schemes often start with fake accounts that engage users and escalate to threats demanding compliance under the risk of exposing personal information. Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram are favored for these activities due to their private nature and encryption challenges. The Observatory emphasizes the importance of raising awareness, especially among younger users, advising caution in sharing personal information and encouraging the reporting of blackmail attempts. They highlight the need for improved digital literacy as a preventive measure against unsafe digital practices.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Duval County students excited to explore Jacksonville through Minecraft competition

The City of Jacksonville has launched a citywide Build Challenge using Minecraft Education to engage students in Duval County. The initiative invites all students, regardless of school type, to envision solutions for Jacksonville's future by designing a sustainable riverfront community hub. The program aims to inspire creativity, advance STEM and urban planning, strengthen civic engagement, develop 21st-century skills, and celebrate student achievements. Participants can collaborate in teams of up to five, with submissions due by noon on May 2. The top eight teams will compete in the Mayor’s Cup in an in-person esports-style challenge. Jacksonville is one of 25 cities globally participating in the Minecraft Education program.

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

Neocolonial Minecraft

More than 300 million copies of Minecraft have been sold, making it one of the world’s best-selling video games. Launched in 2011, it has found a significant place in educational settings, with suggestions for its integration into curricula for subjects like mathematics, geology, architecture, and digital literacy. The game is critiqued for perpetuating narratives of settler colonialism and celebrating violence associated with resource extraction. Players enter an unfamiliar land as a default character model, reflecting Western norms, and engage in defeating hostile creatures, which are argued to echo harmful stereotypes of Indigenous peoples. The game rewards players for mining resources and constructing empires, overlooking real-world implications of colonial extraction, labor exploitation, environmental degradation, and cultural erasure. In contrast, the game Motherload presents a critical view of colonial exploitation, depicting mining as perilous rather than enjoyable. The problematic assumptions about coloniality and power in Minecraft are noted to be deeply rooted in the history of computer and video gaming, with earlier games like The Oregon Trail facing criticism for similar portrayals.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Minecraft is a digital playground for learning and growth

Minecraft has over 141 million active players and serves as a platform for children to explore, create, and interact, significantly impacting child development, social interactions, and cognitive learning. Researchers from the University of South Australia found that collaborative play in Minecraft fosters skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Dr. Vincenza Tudini highlights that the game encourages creativity and social growth, promoting pro-social behavior among players. Minecraft enhances language development and digital literacy through gameplay interactions. The game cultivates problem-solving and teamwork skills as children collaborate to overcome obstacles. However, there are risks associated with its open online environment, including cyberbullying and interactions with strangers. Parents and educators are encouraged to implement safety measures, such as using private servers and teaching responsible online behavior. Minecraft Education Edition is being used in classrooms to teach subjects like coding and mathematics, transforming learning into an interactive experience. The study on Minecraft's impact is published in the journal Children’s Online Learning and Interaction.