Teachers have a very strategic role and are at the forefront of preventing and counteracting negative content including pornography. Through digital literacy, teachers can take a better role. Digital literacy is increasingly needed along with the development of internet technology these days which leaves problems of negative impacts on students.

The Community Service Team of lecturers from the Communication Science Department of Undip’s FISIP was present among the teachers of preschool and Karakter Pelangi Nusantara Elementary School, Semarang, on Saturday afternoon (10/6). The lecturers held a digital literacy activity for school teachers in Semarang. The activity took place at the Karakter Pelangi Nusantara School, Sampangan Semarang.

“Digital media has now become part of people’s daily lives, especially children and teenagers. This digital media has an impact on children and adolescents, and we are worried about the negative impact of this digital media,” said Agus Naryoso, S.Sos., M.Si. who became the first speaker of this digital literacy activity.

Primada Qurota Ayu, S.Sos., M.Si., another lecturer in communication science at Undip, said that in various research she has examined, several students accessed information that they should not see, such as pornography. ECPAT Indonesia’s findings in 6 cities in 2017 revealed the fact that children are exposed to pornographic content through smartphones. The Indonesian Child Protection Commission noted that out of 4,500 junior and senior high school students in 12 cities, 97 percent had accessed pornographic content. Thus, prevention needs to be done starting with teachers and schools in providing education and understanding to children.

“Digital Literacy itself is basically all the activities of sharing knowledge and skills using digital media such as communication tools or other networks in evaluating, using, creating information and utilizing it,” explained Dr. Adi Nugroho, M.Si. who became the third speaker. The lecturer at the Undip Communication Science study program, Dr. Adi Nugroho, M.Si, then invited teachers to actively share their experiences as educators to take the role of overcoming the adverse effects of the internet and digital media, even though it was undeniable that there were many positive impacts obtained by teachers and students from the existence of digital media and the internet, “Adi explained.

This digital literacy program aims to increase knowledge and insight regarding the importance of digital literacy, especially considering that teachers are in direct contact with students who are vulnerable to being exposed to pornographic content.

By having this digital literacy, we know more about the positive and negative impacts of digital media that we need to address wisely. By having knowledge about digital literacy, we are expected to use digital media for meaningful purposes and not abuse it.

“Being wise in using social media is very necessary because if you use social media inappropriately, it can have legal implications, for example, being convicted for violating the ITE Law,” said Primada Qurota Ayu. Violations of the ITE Law can lead to severe penalties.

During the discussion and sharing session with the teachers of the Preschool and Elementary School of Karakter Pelangi Nusantara, several views expressed by the teachers were very interesting and it was necessary to immediately find the best solution. Some of our students are apparently not in good condition in terms of using their gadgets and cell phones.  From this digital literacy activity, the school hopes that there will be synergy and good cooperation between teachers and parents to help educate students so that in the future our students will become better students with good character.

Teachers are expected to provide digital literacy to children at school and parents are also expected to support them at home. “There must be good cooperation between the two,” said Adi Nugroho.

Related to digital literacy, school is one of the places that has a vital role in the process of forming and developing the knowledge and mentality of pupils who ultimately become people with character. Schools play a very important role in encouraging the improvement of students’ cognitive and intellectual abilities and providing good psychological experiences for students.

The community service activity by the lecturer team from the Department of Communication Science FISIP Undip was opened by the chairman of the Preschool Foundation and Karakter Pelangi Nusantara Semarang School, Sri Kusmiyati. She appreciated the role of the Undip Communication Science lecturers who synergized with the school to make education, especially students, have better character.

“The material presented by the lecturers is important for the reference of our teachers so that they can play a role and take preventive measures that can be taken by teachers or parents of students here,” said Sri Kusmiyati.

The school principal, Nurun Hikmah, S.Pd., M.Pd., was also committed to continuing to educate her students on the use of gadgets and the content they access. “We really need the support of parents too, because, of course, students spend most of their time with their families and peers,” she hoped. Providing education and understanding to children about content that should be seen and vice versa.

“One of the ways is for parents and teachers to download several applications that can control children’s internet access,” Agus Naryoso explained.

The teachers, who were enthusiastic in the discussion with the digital literacy speaker, emphasized the need for increased communication between parents, children and teachers. This cooperation must be built even in an unlimited time. “Students are with us teachers from morning to afternoon, the rest of the time with their families and peers. So of course this requires increasingly good cooperation,” said the School Principal, Nurun Hikmah, S.Pd., M.Pd.

Source: undip.ac.id