Browsing by Subject "media education"

This article-based Master’s thesis as well as the article itself was carried out using an explorative comparative research method to investigate young people's perceptions of media literacy skills and civic engagement in digital media in Finland, Norway, and Romania. The research employed an online Media Skills Survey, which consisted of both multiple-choice and open-ended questions, targeting individuals aged 18 to 29 (N=321). Quantitative analysis of the collected data was conducted using statistical software (SPSS) to examine frequencies, percentages, and patterns of media usage and skills across the three countries. The results of our study indicate that young people in all studied countries considered communication in digital media platforms to be the most essential media skill. Additionally, common concerns were identified regarding issues such as deep fakes, fake news, and the impact of algorithms. While participants demonstrated confidence in searching and utilizing information, they displayed less confidence in responsibly producing media content. Importantly, a considerable number of young people in each studied country belief that they did not need assistance in enhancing their media skills. These findings emphasize the significance of increasing awareness regarding safe and ethical online behaviors, as well as the necessity for comprehensive media literacy education. Furthermore, this research shed light on the role of digital media and social media platforms in young people's civic engagement, revealing their active involvement in formal civic activities, participation in online debates, authoring of political blog posts, and engagement with political issues through platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. In conclusion this study provides important insights to the academic discussion on the relationship between digital media, media literacy, and the civic engagement of young individuals. These findings emphasize the importance of cultivating responsible and knowledgeable digital citizens.