🌐 Digital Literacy Module

Chapter 1: Introduction to Digital Literacy and Smartphone Basics

✅ Objectives of Chapter 1

 To help women understand why digital literacy is important in their daily lives.

 To introduce them to smartphone basics in a simple and practical way.

 To build confidence in using messaging apps (WhatsApp, SMS, email).

 To teach safe and effective use of search engines.

 To raise awareness about basic online safety practices.

Section 1: Why Digital Literacy is Important

Simple Explanation:
What is DIGITAL LITERACY:

Digital literacy means knowing how to use mobile phones, the internet, and online services.
It helps people connect, find information, and make life easier.
It’s not just about using technology—it’s about using it safely and effectively for communication,
learning, and managing everyday tasks.

Benefits of Digital Literacy

1. Staying Connected:
o Women can easily call, message, or video chat with family and
friends.
o Use WhatsApp or SMS to share photos, updates, and stay in
touch.
2. Accessing Information:
o Find health tips, weather updates, and news.
o Learn about government schemes and benefits.
3. Making Payments Easily:
o Use apps like PhonePe or Google Pay to pay bills, send money, or
recharge phones.
o No need to stand in long queues.
4. Learning Opportunities:
o Watch educational videos on YouTube.
o Learn new skills like sewing, cooking, or farming tips online.
5. Accessing Health & Safety Services:
o Find nearby hospitals or clinics.
o Use safety apps like Nirbhaya or 1091 helpline in emergencies.
6. Financial Independence:
o Check bank balances or pay bills from home.
o Access government schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana easily
🎯 Activity 1: "Imagine Your Life with a Smartphone"

 Ask participants:

o “How would it help you if you could easily talk to family members, even if they are far
away?”

o “How would it feel to pay bills without standing in long lines?”

 Encourage women to share their thoughts.

Section 2: Getting Started with a Smartphone

Objective:

To help women become comfortable with smartphone basics.

Smartphone Basics (Explained Simply):

1. Parts of a Smartphone:

o Screen: The display where you see things.

o Home Button: Takes you back to the main screen.

o Volume Buttons: To increase or decrease sound.

o Charging Point: To connect the charger.

2. Turning the Phone On/Off:

o Press and hold the power button to turn on/off.

3. Unlocking the Phone:

o Use swipe patterns, PINs, or fingerprints.

Practical Activity 2: Hands-On Phone Practice

 Goal: Let women physically handle the phones.

 Steps:

o Practice turning the phone on and off.

o Practice unlocking and locking the phone.

o Identify buttons by touching them.

Section 3: Sending Messages (WhatsApp, SMS & Email)

Objective:
To introduce women to basic messaging tools for easy communication.

Steps for Messaging (Simple Instructions):

1. SMS (Text Message):

o Go to the "Messages" app.

o Tap the "New Message" icon.

o Type the phone number.

o Write a message.

o Press "Send."

2. WhatsApp:

o Open WhatsApp.

o Tap the "Chat" icon.

o Choose a contact.

o Type or use voice message.

o Press "Send."

3. Email (if applicable):

o Open the "Gmail" app.

o Tap "Compose."

o Enter the email address.

o Write a message.

o Press "Send."

Activity 3: "Message a Friend"

 Pair participants into groups.

 Ask them to send simple text messages to each other (e.g., "Hello, how are you?").

 Gradually introduce WhatsApp voice messages.

Section 4: Using Search Engines Effectively

Objective:

To help women use the internet to find information.

Steps for Using Google Search:

1. Open the Browser:

o Tap on "Google Chrome" or "Internet."

 2. Use the Search Bar:

o Type or use voice commands (e.g., "weather today," "nearest hospital").

3. Voice Search:

o Tap the microphone icon and speak.

4. Opening Websites:

o Tap on the first link or relevant result.

Simple Websites to Introduce:

 News: BBC Hindi, NDTV Hindi.

 Government Services: PM Jan Dhan Yojana, Arogya Setu.

 Weather & Agriculture: Skymet Weather, Kisan Suvidha App.

Activity 4: "Find Something Useful"

 Ask women to search for local information, such as:

o The nearest hospital.

o Weather updates.

 Guide them to use voice search if typing is difficult.

Section 5: Internet Safety Basics

Objective:

To make women aware of online safety practices.

Basic Safety Tips (Explained Simply):

1. Don't Share Personal Information:

o Avoid sharing your phone number, address, or bank details with strangers.

2. Avoid Suspicious Links:

o Don’t click on unknown links in messages.

3. Use Strong Passwords:

o Keep phone lock and online accounts secure with strong passwords.

4. Recognizing Scams:

o If someone asks for OTP (One-Time Password) or bank details, do not share.

5. Install Safety Apps:

o Introduce apps like “Women’s Safety” or “Citizen Cop” for emergency use.

Activity 5: "Spot the Scam" Game

  Show women two sample messages:

o A real message from a family member.

o A fake message offering a false lottery win.

 Ask them to identify which one looks suspicious.

 Discuss the clues that indicate a scam (strange links, unknown sender).

Chapter 2: Using Digital Payments and

Online Banking Services

✅ Objectives of Chapter 2

 To introduce women to UPI-based payment apps (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm).

 To help them understand how to use online banking services for financial literacy.

 To teach safe money transfers and balance checks.

 To raise awareness about online safety practices (OTP, passwords, and fraud prevention).

Section 1: Introduction to Digital Payments (UPI Apps)

Objective:

To help women understand how to use UPI apps for cashless payments.

What is UPI? (Simple Explanation)

  UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is a system that allows money transfers between bank
accounts through mobile apps.

 It works instantly and is safe.

 You don’t need to carry cash — just use your phone.

Popular UPI Apps:

1. PhonePe: Simple and widely used for payments, recharges, and bill payments.

2. Google Pay: Easy-to-use app for sending money, paying bills, and shopping online.

3. Paytm: Used for payments, recharges, and even booking tickets.

Steps to Use UPI Apps (Simplified)

1. Download and Install the App:

o Go to Play Store.

o Search for PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm.

o Tap Install.

2. Register and Link Bank Account:

o Open the app.

o Enter your mobile number linked to your bank account.

o Select your bank.

o Verify with OTP (One-Time Password).

3. Set UPI PIN:

o Create a secure 4 or 6-digit PIN.

o This PIN is required for every payment.

4. Make a Payment:

o Open the app.

o Select "Send Money" or "Pay".

o Enter the mobile number or UPI ID.

o Type the amount.

o Enter your UPI PIN and confirm the payment.

🎯 Activity 1: "Practice Payment"

 Goal: Familiarize women with making small payments.

 Steps:
 o Pair women into groups.

o Use a demo UPI app (training mode).

o Let them practice sending ₹1 to each other.

o Guide them through entering UPI PINs safely.

Section 2: Using Online Banking Services (For Financial Literacy)

Objective:

To introduce women to basic online banking and how to access financial services.

What is Online Banking? (Simple Explanation)

 Online banking allows you to access your bank account through a phone or computer.

 You can check your balance, transfer money, or pay bills without visiting the bank.

Key Online Banking Services:

1. Balance Check:

o Open the banking app (e.g., SBI YONO, HDFC Bank).

o Log in with your mobile number or username.

o Select "Check Balance" to see the available amount.

2. Money Transfer:

o Select "Transfer Money" or "Send Money".

o Enter the receiver’s account number and IFSC code.

o Enter the amount and confirm.

o Use OTP to verify the transaction.

3. Mini Statements:

o You can see the last few transactions made from your account.

4. Bill Payments:

o Pay electricity, water, or mobile bills easily through the app.

🎯 Activity 2: "Simulate Online Banking"

 Goal: Teach women to check balances and view mini-statements.

 Steps:

o Use a demo online banking app.

o Show how to log in.

 o Let women practice checking their balance and viewing mini-statements.

Section 3: Using USSD Codes for Banking (Without Internet)

Objective:

To teach women how to access banking services without internet access.

What is USSD?

 USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) is a service that works through mobile
networks without internet.

 It is useful for basic banking activities on simple phones.

USSD Codes for Major Banks:

 SBI: Dial *99# → Choose option → Check balance or transfer money.

 HDFC: Dial *99# → Select the desired service.

 ICICI: Dial *99# → Follow prompts for balance check or mini statement.

 Airtel Payments Bank: Dial *400# → Select services.

🎯 Activity 3: "Check Balance with USSD"

 Goal: Teach women to check their balance without internet.

 Steps:

o Use demo SIMs or USSD training codes.

o Let women practice dialing USSD codes.

o Help them interpret the balance details.

Section 4: Online Payment Safety Tips

Objective:

To educate women on how to stay safe while making online payments.

Essential Safety Tips (Simplified):

1. Never Share OTP:

o OTP is a secret code. Do not share it with anyone, even if they claim to be from the
bank.

2. Use Strong UPI PINs:

o Choose a PIN that is not easy to guess (avoid 1234, 0000).

 3. Avoid Suspicious Links:

o Don’t click on unknown links or lottery messages.

4. Check for Secure Apps:

o Only download banking apps from the Google Play Store or official bank website.

5. Log Out After Use:

o Always log out from banking apps after using them.

🎯 Activity 4: "Spot the Fraud"

 Goal: Teach women to recognize fake payment requests.

 Steps:

o Show two sample messages:

 A real message from a bank.

 A fake message asking for OTP.

o Ask them to identify which one is genuine.

o Explain the clues: bank names, spelling errors, suspicious links.

🌐 Digital Literacy Module for Illiterate Women

Delivered Through an NGO

Chapter 3: Accessing Government & Health Services and Digital Services for Women
Empowerment

✅ Objectives of Chapter 3

 To teach women how to access essential government services through mobile apps.

 To help them search for health centers and welfare schemes online.

 To introduce them to government and private digital services designed to support women.

 To build confidence in using helplines, emergency apps, and financial aid platforms.

💡 Section 1: Using Government Apps for Services

📌 Objective:

To introduce women to government apps for easy access to services.

Popular Government Apps (Simplified Explanation):

 1. UMANG App (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance)

o Provides access to 100+ government services.

o Services include Aadhaar, PAN, EPFO, PM Kisan, and LPG booking.

o Available in multiple languages.

2. Aarogya Setu App (Health & Safety)

o Helps track COVID-19 status in the area.

o Provides self-assessment tools.

o Shares nearby health services.

🔧 How to Use the UMANG App (Step-by-Step):

1. Download the App:

o Go to Google Play Store.

o Search for UMANG.

o Tap Install.

2. Sign Up:

o Enter mobile number.

o Verify with OTP.

o Create a 4-digit PIN.

3. Explore Services:

o Tap "Services" on the homepage.

o Select the required service (e.g., checking Aadhaar status, applying for welfare
schemes).

4. Health & Welfare Services:

o Check government schemes under the "Women Empowerment" category.

o Explore health services (hospitals, vaccine centers).

🎯 Activity 1: "Discover Government Services"

 Goal: Help women explore government services through UMANG.

 Steps:

o Open the UMANG app on smartphones.

o Demonstrate how to check Aadhaar status or apply for a government scheme.

o Allow women to explore health services like hospital locators.

🏥 Section 2: Searching for Health Centers and Government Schemes

📌 Objective:

To teach women how to find nearby health services and access welfare schemes.

How to Search for Health Centers:

1. Using Google Search:

o Open Google.

o Tap the Microphone icon.

o Say:

 “Nearby government hospital”

 “Free health check-up centers”

2. Using Google Maps:

o Open Google Maps.

o Tap Search.

o Type:

 “Women’s Health Clinic”

 “Free Vaccination Center”

o View directions and contact details.

🔧 Government Health Websites:

 National Health Portal (NHP) – Information on government health programs.

 eSanjeevani App – Free online doctor consultation.

 Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) – Check eligibility for free hospital treatment.

🎯 Activity 2: "Find a Health Center Near You"

 Goal: Teach women how to find health services.

 Steps:

o Ask women to open Google Maps or Google Search.

o Let them search for nearby health centers.

o Help them view directions and contact details.

💳 Section 3: Digital Services for Women Empowerment

📌 Objective:

To introduce women to government and private services that promote financial, social, and health
empowerment.

Key Women Empowerment Services (Simplified):

1. PM Jan Dhan Yojana (Financial Inclusion)

o Objective: To provide every woman with a bank account.

o Benefits:

 Zero balance account.

 Free debit card.

 Accidental insurance cover of ₹2 lakh.

o How to Access:

 Visit a nearby bank.

 Carry Aadhaar and PAN.

 Ask for "Jan Dhan Yojana" form.

2. Women’s Helpline (1091)

o Objective: To provide safety and support to women in distress.

o Services:

 Immediate police assistance.

 Guidance on domestic violence and harassment.

o How to Use:

 Dial 1091 (women’s helpline).

 Explain the situation clearly.

 Share location if needed.

3. Nirbhaya App (Safety for Women)

o Objective: Real-time location sharing during emergencies.

o Features:

 SOS alert button.

 Auto-dial to emergency contacts.

o How to Use:

 Download from Google Play Store.

 Register with your mobile number.

  Use SOS button for emergencies.

🎯 Activity 3: "Explore Women’s Services"

 Goal: Teach women to access services independently.

 Steps:

o Show how to open UMANG or Google Search.

o Let women search for PM Jan Dhan Yojana or helpline numbers.

o Demonstrate how to use the Nirbhaya app.

🔒 Section 4: Using Women-Centric Financial Apps

📌 Objective:

To familiarize women with apps that promote financial independence.

Useful Apps:

1. Mahila E-Haat:

o An initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

o Women can sell products online (handicrafts, handmade items).

2. Bharat BillPay:

o Safe bill payment service.

o Women can pay electricity, water, and gas bills without visiting payment centers.

🎯 Activity 4: "Practice Using Financial Services"

 Goal: Teach women how to access financial services.

 Steps:

o Use demo financial apps.

o Guide them to check bill payment features.

o Let women practice using Bharat BillPay or explore the Mahila E-Haat website.