First MA Thesis in Arab World on Media and Digital Literacy for Parents Debated

Image: 
17 Jan 2017
Amman, 29 December (Petra) -- A research study titled &quot;Media and Digital Literacy for Parents in Jordanian Society&quot; has recommended drafting national policies and strategies pertaining to media and digital literacy to develop and promote it. The study, submitted by researcher Husam Wa&#39;di Assal, is the first Arab study in media and digital literacy. It was debated at the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) to obtain the MA degree. The study called for the establishment of an institute or center specialized in media and digital literacy and the adoption of curricula specialized in this topic at schools and universities.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> The study, supervised by JMI Dean Dr. Basim Tweissi, emphasized the need for Jordanian society to move from one that consumes information to one that produces knowledge. This should be the focus of people developing national plans and strategies.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> The research study concluded that parents in Jordanian society are in a weak position when it comes to their ability to provide guidance to their children on handling media and digital outlets. It showed that parents in Jordanian society have moderate knowledge of media and digital literacy. They lack sufficient skills to help them verify images and exercise critical thinking vis-&agrave;-vis what they are exposed to in the media. The weakness also applies to employing skills and information in social and political issues.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> The researcher said that the topic of the research is justified by the need for it in recent years because families have been exposed to a huge amount of media messages and digital content.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> &nbsp;