The Community Service Institute of the International Relations Study Program (HI) of Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar) introduced a Media Literacy Program to the Elementary School (SD) environment. The program that started in April 2016 basically tries to familiarize people with the concept and transfer knowledge concerning the benefits of and impacts of media usage among elementary school students.
In this period, the program wa targeted to parents of elementary school students (SD), especially parents of 5th and 6th grade students along Ciumbuleit, namely SD Negeri Ciumbuleuit 1, SD Negeri Ciumbuleuit 3, SD Negeri Ciumbuleuit 4, SD Negeri Bandung Baru I and SD Negeri Bandung Baru II that have signed letters of agreement with FISIP Unpar.
“There are varieties of media. One of them is Television. So we explained materials concerning television media such as the Soap Operas (Sinetron) with contents of violence that might influence children. The effect will most likely influence the thought pattern of children who watch them” added Anggia Valerisha, S.IP., M.Si., when interviewed by the Unpar Publication Team.
“ Then there is of course the issue of social media usage, such as Twitter and Facebook. We talked about the ethics of social media, for example the use of certain kind of language. Basically we want to raise parents’ awareness related to the impact of media usage, even in the games installed in parents smart phone commonly played by children as well” said the woman familiarly known as Mbak Anggi.
On Friday (11/11), a closing ceremony of the program was held at the building of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Unpar. “Media Literacy Within [the] Family: Family Education is the Responsibility of the Family” was the theme of this main event. The material presentations as well as discussion session have been routinely held bi-monthly on Fridays in one of the classroom in SD Negeri Ciumbuleuit 1 Bandung. The community service program that was divided into 2 periods was followed by a total of 40 participants.
It is hoped that this activity can encourage parents to be involved in media education within their families, especially related to how to apply and utilize media correctly. In addition, the aims were also improve parents’ awareness of the impact of media usage (including social media and online game) among elementary school students.
“(We) want to make parents smarter and take one step forward so that they are more active, smart, sensitive, and critical in observing current media news broadcasts” added Mbak Anggi who is currently teaching in the Diplomacy, Media and Communication major at HI Unpar.
She hoped that in the future, this media literacy program can also be conveyed to elementary students who are familiar with the use of media.
