02 September 2024
Syafrijal S.Kom
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Medan – Responding to growing concerns about online violence, the Communication Studies Program at the University of North Sumatra (USU) has launched an innovative digital literacy program targeting teenagers. The initiative, led by the community service team (abdimas), held a two-day intensive workshop at SMP Harapan 3 Delitua on July 22 and 24, 2024.
Yovita Sabarina Sitepu, as the program coordinator, emphasized the urgency of this program. “We can see, how children today, starting from studying, playing online games, playing social media, always increase their usage time in the cyber world. There is a lot of online violence that they can encounter or face. They can be the perpetrators or even the victims,” she explained.
The workshop engaged 60 enthusiastic students in a dynamic learning experience, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Participants delved into the nuances of online behavior, explored various manifestations of digital violence, and learned effective intervention and reporting strategies.
Not only lecturers, communication science students; Farah Ramizah Alya, Heflin Laurensia Datubara, Kenzie Alexander Kelana, Putri Romawani, and Wa Hidayah Asyura Fiestri Palari, also participated in assisting the implementation of the focus group discussion (FGD). The FGD was held as a form of practice in recognizing cyberbullying cases and discussing responses and solutions.
one of the highlights of this program is the hands-on practice component where students collaboratively create engaging anti-violence campaign content for social media platforms. "We don't just teach defensive strategies," said Yovita. "We actively empower these young minds by holding a competition to create positive content on social media," she added.
Deputy Principal of SMP Harapan 3 Delitua Ahmad Razali, M.Sos., praised the timeliness and relevance of this initiative. "This program addresses a critical gap in our students' education. In an era where digital interactions are so widespread, these kinds of skills are very useful,” he said.
The program is part of USU’s broader commitment to the National Digital Literacy Movement. The team plans to expand the initiative to other schools, with the long-term goal of fostering a digitally literate and responsible generation.
As the digital landscape evolves, USU’s proactive approach sets a promising precedent for educational institutions across the country in addressing the challenges of online safety for teens.
Source: https://indiespot.id/2024/07/29/perangi-kekerasan-online-tim-abdimas-fisip-usu-tingkatkan-literasi-digital-remaja/
