From digital citizenship to a safer future: building digital rights and literacy in primary schools

MSc Violeta Stevanovska, Gordana Anastasova, Dobri Jovevski

Abstract

In today‘s society, digital literacy is critical to the safe and responsible use of technolo­gy. In the Republic of North Macedonia, students from primary school are increasingly exposed to risks related to the uncontrolled flow of digital information. According to re­cent research, only 30% of young people have a basic understanding of their digital rights and responsibilities, which makes them vulnerable to misuse of personal data, misinfor­mation and cyber-bullying. Research shows that 40% of students in primary schools in North Macedonia face some form of cyber-bulling, and 60% of them do not know how to react to such situations. These numbers indicate the urgent need to improve digital literacy and awareness of personal data protection.

In recent years, there have been cases of misinformation affecting young people, such as fake news related to health issues or social events. This misinformation not only creates confusion, but also causes fear and panic. Also, many students report cases of online bullying, which further worsens their psychological condition. In order to raise the level of awareness and literacy among students, first of all, we must check the level of skills and knowledge that teachers have and possess and implement them in teaching process. For this purpose, the authors dedicate this paper to research regarding digital rights and freedoms and their implementation in primary schools in the earliest years of education. This paper will identify the needs and shortcomings that teachers have and the way to implement and tech students to digital citizenship, as part of media literacy.

Key words: media literacy, digital rights and freedoms, digital citizenship, teaching process, education