ICT for children: The continuous need for media literacy

The increasing integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in children's lives necessitates a continuous emphasis on media literacy. As digital environments become intrinsic to education, entertainment, and social interaction, children are exposed to vast amounts of content, unfiltered, complex, and often harmful. This paper explores the imperative role of media literacy in equipping children with critical thinking skills to experience the digital landscape responsibly. By analyzing contemporary challenges, including misinformation, cyberbullying, and digital addiction, this study highlights how media literacy fosters cognitive resilience and ethical engagement online. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes the role of educators, parents, and policymakers in furthering a collaborative approach to digital education. Media literacy is positioned not as a singular skill but as an evolving competency, integral to ensuring children's empowerment and safety. The findings show that there is an urgent need for structured media literacy programs, tailored to the cognitive and emotional development of children, to mitigate risks and harness the opportunities presented by ICT. We also recommend that children’s use of ICT should be kept as minimal as possible.

کلیدواژه ها:

Media Literacy ، ICT ، children ، digital safety ، critical thinking