Jušković: Media literacy is not an option, but a social imperative

Investing in children's media literacy is not an option, but a social imperative, said child safety educator Bojan Jušković, stating that the strongest digital shield is a critical mind, which knows how to recognize risk and make the right decision.

Jušković's author's text entitled "Children Online: How to Teach Them to Be Safe and Media Literate?" was written for the website medijskapismenost.me as part of the program of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services.

Jušković said that, in the digital era, using the internet and social networks has become an everyday reality for children and adolescents.

"Almost every online platform that enables interaction between users today falls into the category of social networks. They offer children a space for entertainment, communication and expression, so their importance in the lives of young people is constantly increasing," the author's text says.

It is stated that research shows that the use of social media can positively influence the development of communication and technical skills, as well as social connections of young people.

However, as Jušković said, digital reality also brings with it a number of challenges and risks, especially considering children's limited ability to independently recognize dangers and make mature decisions.

As he said, children's curiosity, lack of experience, emotional impulsivity, and strong peer influence make them particularly vulnerable in the online space.

"Inappropriate content, digital violence, sexual exploitation, loss of privacy, as well as the pressure to appear "perfect" online represent real threats to their mental health and sense of safety," warned Jušković.

He stated that, in addition, exposure to misinformation and viral challenges, which sometimes include risky behaviors, indicates the need for a serious and systemic approach to child protection.

"The key question that is increasingly being asked is: how much do we really know about what our children are doing online and how can we protect them in a way that is both effective and reasonable?", the author's text states.

One of the basic problems, as Jušković pointed out, lies in the generation gap.

He said that children are "digital natives" - born into an environment of technology, they instinctively and quickly master new applications and platforms.

"On the other hand, many parents and teachers are digital immigrants - users who joined technology later, often without a deeper understanding of how it works and potential risks," the author writes.

Jušković pointed out that it is at this crossroads that media literacy comes into play – not as a luxury or additional skill, but as a basic life competence in modern society.

Media literacy, he said, does not just mean the technical ability to use devices.

"It implies understanding how the media functions, the ability to think critically, recognizing disinformation, protecting privacy, and responsible behavior in the digital space," said Jušković.

He emphasized that effective protection of children online must be more than mere prohibition and control.

Jušković pointed out that a comprehensive social response is needed - a synergy between school, family, media and legislative bodies.

"School systems should integrate media and digital literacy into regular teaching, through specific content and practical workshops," said Jušković.

He said that teachers, as key actors in education, must be adequately trained to help children develop a critical attitude towards what they see and share online.

As Jušković said, the family, on the other hand, plays the role of the primary and most important factor in shaping children's digital culture.

He emphasized that parents should build a relationship of trust with their children, to openly discuss their online experiences, without judgment or threats.

"A question that is often asked is - can technical solutions (for example, parental control applications) help protect children? The answer is - partially," the author's text states.

Jušković said that technical solutions, although they can provide a certain level of surveillance and protection, should never be a substitute for conversation, education and trust.

According to him, the most effective protection tool is not technology, but the knowledge that is passed on to children.

Children, as Jušković pointed out, need to know why it is important to protect personal data, how to recognize manipulation, and who they can turn to if they feel threatened.

"These skills do not come by themselves, they are learned and nurtured. The role of adults is not to be supervisors, but guides through the complex digital world," the author writes.

As stated, through education, shared learning, and open communication, children gain the necessary tools to be safe while at the same time free to explore, create, and grow.

"In a time when information travels faster than ever before, and digital borders are increasingly invisible, investing in children's media literacy is not an option - it is a social imperative," Jušković pointed out.

He emphasized that if we want children to be safe, responsible, and self-aware digital citizens, we must offer them more than just prohibitions and apps.

"We must give them knowledge, because the strongest digital shield is not a filter, firewall or password, but a critical mind that knows how to recognize risk and make the right decision," said Jušković.