Pro Juventute supports children against cyberbullying
For Pro Juventute, it is clear how important it is to promote media literacy for children, young people and also adults. After all, in order for adults to be able to support young people in their use of new media, they themselves must be media literate.
Dealing with Facebook & Co involves risks. The current example of the fake Facebook profile of Federal Councilor Evelyne Widmer-Schlumpf shows that dealing with new media is a challenge for political decision-makers as well. For children, such attacks are particularly serious. Pro Juventute therefore draws attention to the importance of promoting media competence. If children or young people are bullied via fake profiles, this is particularly hurtful for the children affected. Thus, many children seek advice and help 147 from Pro Juventute's experts because of cyberbullying. Pro Juventute points out how important support is for services and for prevention by teaching media skills.
Specifically, in the area of media education, Pro Juventute urgently calls for coordination with the cantons responsible for education policy and the cantonally anchored youth organizations. A national cooperation of the actors is required. The foundation therefore calls for the anchoring of genuine media literacy education in school lessons as part of Curriculum 21. In addition, complementary teaching offers for the promotion of media competence should be supported and introduced. The training and further education of teachers and parents at parents' evenings should also be promoted. In addition, Pro Juventute is calling for more scientific research into the effects of media use on children and young people. For its part, the foundation is committed to solution-oriented offers in the area of media literacy promotion with its own projects and in cooperation with the responsible administrative offices. With the teaching offer "Pro Juventute Media Professionals", Pro Juventute is committed to promoting media literacy among students, parents and teachers.
