Around 30 teachers came together for a course on "Social media literacy as a key competence of democratic citizenship in schools" held on 25 November 2023 in Podgorica. The course aimed to address the critical role of social media literacy and how competences for democratic culture might contribute.
Local trainers led discussions on various facets of media literacy, highlighting its necessity as a foundational skill for engaging with social media platforms. They underscored the impact of platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok on today’s youth and delved into strategies for recognising manipulation and propaganda, advocating for the development of critical thinking as a defense mechanism. Further sessions provided attendees with an opportunity to network and reflect upon the relevance of these competences in bolstering the media literacy of young individuals, using the framework's metaphorical "butterfly" analogy to elucidate their significance.
The event not only highlighted the urgency of integrating social media literacy into educational paradigms but also advocated for collaborative efforts to empower the younger generation as informed and discerning digital citizens.
The event was organised within the joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Quality education for all – Montenegro”, that is a part of the programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.