Author(s): Seçil UTMA
From a young age, children are introduced to communication tools that include oral, written, visual text and images. While the media sector shapes children's minds through different forms of communication, how these tools are perceived by children becomes more important. Digital technology is used extensively in today's communication environment, while offering great advantages to users, brings with it a number of risks. The issue of media literacy is important to be selective in the face of numerous information reaching children from the media. Media literacy training aims to ensure that children can analyze media messages correctly, have the ability to create new messages, and perceive existing threats and risks. The aim is to raise the awareness that the media texts that they watch and read are edited and to help them understand the difference between the virtual and the real world. It should not be forgotten that the media is a platform for children to realize themselves and to express their thoughts freely, as well as a tool that can harm their mental and physical development. However, issues such as the publications made by the media companies without thinking of children with the concern of profit, the unconsciousness of the families on this issue and the inadequacy of the education provided in the schools create problems in reaching the said goals. In this study, the relationship between the media and the child is examined theoretically and suggestions are given about media literacy education and the measures that can be taken.
The Journal of International Social Research received 8982 citations as per Google Scholar report
