Curbing of Cyber Balkanization with Media Literacy
Based on the Cyber Balkanization article, I really do
believe that the internet and its lack of control can lead to cyber
balkanization and furthermore a less integrated society. The concept of the
cyber world being so customized and selective especially in the information we
want to receive, can lead to negative impacts like cyber balkanization.
But I want to highlight that maybe there is a possibility
that these people might not dive into cyber balkanization if they were more
media literate. In a world where media is pervasive and invasive, people need
to think critically about what they see, hear and read. People need to
understand how to use the media and understand that subconsciously the media uses
us too.
Media literacy refers to the understanding of media and the
use of it as a source of information, entertainment, enrichment, growth,
empowerment and most importantly communication. With good media literacy,
sophisticated citizens can emerge and the purpose of the government for freeing
the internet to expose people to a variety of information and enhance their
intellectual minds will not go to waste.
Literacy in the early days of the 1500 century was more of a
way of understanding a higher level of communication. It was divided into 2 levels,
reading and writing where people could decipher texts and copy words in writing
as well as sign their name. These were called the semi literates. Then there
were the higher level of people who can actually compose their own writing
instead of copying them.
It was a long process where literacy was very selective
among the people, where mostly the privilege or the aristocrats were the
fortunate one to obtain training. In 1774, a law was passed by Maria Therese of
Austria obliging all children aged six and above to be sent to school to
enhance their literacy in reading and writing. By the 1800, literacy was
central to the economic, cultural and social life. So those who want to succeed
had to learn to be literate.
Now in the more modern age of the 21st century
where the internet has become a big part of our lives, media literacy
especially in the context of the internet should be thought to everyone that
uses it. It should start at a young age to prevent it from being a permanent
habit once people get older. The learning of media literacy should be
integrated in school curriculum as way for the young to fully develop an
understanding towards the use and effects of the media to our minds and our
lives.
With statistics showing that young people age 13-34 spend an
average of 16.7 hours a week online, the amount of information and visuals they
are exposed to is limitless which can potentially turn our society of media
users into a balkanized one. But with
good media literacy skills, this can be decrease and the media especially the
internet can be used as a hub of endless information to broaden the minds our
country, pushing us to be better citizens.
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| What people do on the internet |
Media literacy should be greatly highlighted and taught,
especially to the young so that the freedom
of the internet that was awarded to our country would not go to waste. Let the citizen utilize the media or more specifically the internet to greater use and create a more integrated and intellectual society.
Reference:
- Wan, G. (2006) Integrating Media Literacy into the Curriculum http://www.cehs.ohio.edu/facultystaff/wang1/portfolio/13.pdf
- Weaver, J. (2012.06.24) Teen Tune Out TV, Log On Instead http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3078614/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/teens-tune-out-tv-log-instead/#.UYiJ7LVqnLl
- Houston, R. (2011) Literacy http://www.ieg-ego.eu/en/threads/backgrounds/literacy/robert-a-houston-literacy
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