Developing Digital Skills for Ethical Media Use

Abstract

Professional success and personal empowerment for our students, in today's increasingly digital environment, depend on having strong digital abilities and knowing how to use media in an ethical manner. Digital skills are the aptitudes needed to use digital tools and technologies efficiently. The abilities required to handle the complexities of technology are changing along with it. These modifications put the fundamentals of media ethics at jeopardy. The problem is more complex than arguments over certain principles, like objectivity. The problem is more complex than particular issues, such how newsrooms can confirm citizen-generated information. Assumptions must be reconsidered in light of the rapid changes. In a reality, where everyone with a modem is a publisher and fast news and analysis are required, what does ethics mean? This article explores the definition of digital skills, their significance in today’s society, the ethical considerations surrounding media consumption and production, and practical strategies for fostering these skills to our students, that will be the future teachers and educators. It also brings data protection information and recent statistics relevant to Albania, presenting a comprehensive overview of the need for developing these digital skills for ethical media use while ensuring that every one is informed about their data protection rights.

Methods

The rapid advent of digital technologies has transformed how individuals access, share, and create media content. According to a report by the Pew Research Center (2021), 72% of Americans use social media to access news, while 53% of U.S. adults say they frequently encounter fabricated news stories. This highlights an urgent need for developing powerful digital skills to handle difficult circumstances filled with misinformation and manipulation. In Albania, the digital terrain is equally dynamic, with approximately 76% of the population using the Internet in 2022 (Institute of Statistics, Albania, 2022). However, this connectivity is accompanied by challenges related to misinformation and inadequate data protection measures. As Albanian users engage with media content, they must develop the digital literacy, critical thinking skills, and ethical awareness necessary for responsible digital citizenship. As users engage with media content, teachers and students must become proficient in digital literacy, critical thinking, and ethical considerations to participate constructively in society and in labor market.

Results

Nearly 60% of rural youth lack access to essential digital literacy training. A report by the Albanian Media Authority (2022) found that 65% of Albanians believe they have encountered disinformation online, raising concerns about the effectiveness of public media education efforts. The need to improve critical thinking skills is evident; only 35% of the population could correctly identify biased sources of information in a survey conducted by AIIS in early 2023. This highlights the urgent need for educational interventions focused on developing critical thinking. In recent years, Albania has taken steps to improve its data protection framework, notably through the adoption of the Law on Personal Data Protection in 2018, which is in line with EU regulations.
Questions about these prompts:

• -> Who will be able to see the data we enter on the website?
• -> Do these data support teaching or learning?
• -> Does it provide support? Is it safe?
• -> Is the website secure?
• -> How long is it going to be available?

Conclusions

The digital age endorses a new set of skills and ethical considerations for media use. By fostering digital literacy, critical thinking, and ethical responsibility, we can build a society better equipped to engage with media constructively. Implementing educational interventions, community engagement initiatives, and collaborative efforts involving various stakeholders is crucial to empowering individuals, particularly in Albania, to navigate the complexities of digital media responsibly. As highlighted by recent statistics and reports, prioritizing these skills will create a more informed and ethically conscious society, ready to face the challenges of the digital world. Media education must address these challenges, teaching students how to critically evaluate sources and understand the influence of algorithms on their information consumption and data protection.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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