Tech Literacy Is More Important Than You Think, Your Privacy Is Worth Revolting Over

As I am going through college and interacting with more people than people who are just in the STEM space, I realize that not everyone knows the basic terminology surrounding tech and how to navigate anything beyond the standard Windows and Google products. In fact, “only 51% [of Americans] feel informed about how their personal data is being used by companies, government, and social entities.” (It's All Personal A Study On Consumer Attitudes Towards Data Collection & Usage, 2023).
Tech and media literacy should be taught in schools alongside learning how to spell and learning the times tables. We see this with AI right now, every time something new happens with it, people worry about what are seemingly the wrong things. As more and more companies make a push to include AI in their products, I get more and more worried about the future of data privacy.
I don't see this talked enough about. Knowing how your data is collected, who has information on you, and how that data is stored is more important than ever now. I'm sure there are companies that know more about me than I would like them to have. I was poking around Meta's privacy policies and the data they collect and it's *terrifying* how much shit they have. And it's so normalized now, we don't even bat an eye. Nobody should have this much information on you. EVER.
You wouldn't like it if someone followed you everywhere you went, even into your room at night and watched you sleep. So why are we letting companies collect this much data on us? This doesn't have to be the normal. Your privacy is worth revolting over.
I implore you to learn about technology, what information you share with others, what new advancements in technology really means. Never take things at face value, even here, even with me. Question everything. Never assume a company has your best interests in mind. They would sell everything about you for a crisp $10 and never bat an eye. Even if they don't sell it out, information can be leaked by other means. Data breaches happen every day, every second. If something as important as the lock to your electronic door or your private security cameras is leaked, your entire family is in danger.
So please, learn about technology. Learn how to code. Value your privacy. This stuff is so normalized but *it doesn't have to be.* Protect yourself and your community.