Media Education And The Challenges Of The Digital Environment: Towards Enabling Children To Safely Use Social Networking Sites

Résumé: Abstract: his research paper seeks to underscore the pivotal role of media education as an essential tool for reinforcing the moral and value-based foundations of young people, particularly children, in Arab societies. This need has become increasingly urgent in light of the growing prevalence of social media platforms. The study advocates for equipping children with the knowledge, skills, and ethical frameworks necessary to engage with media and digital communication in a safe, responsible, and conscientious manner, thereby enabling them to become active “digital citizens” and thoughtful contributors to their digital environments. A descriptive analytical methodology was employed, involving a comprehensive review of academic literature and relevant empirical studies to examine the negative effects associated with children’s use of social networking sites and to explore strategies for mitigating these risks within digital environments. The findings emphasize the necessity of collective action by stakeholders in the fields of education, media, and social institutions. Furthermore, the study calls for the systematic integration of media education concepts and practices into the curricula of educational institutions at all levels, as a means of promoting intellectual, ethical, and cultural development within Arab societies. Keywords: media literacy, social networking sites, children, digital environment.

Publié dans la revue: Annales de l’université d’Alger