Empowering the Digital Citizen : Digital and Media Literacy Research in Flanders, Belgium

Abstract

This book provides an overview of digital and media literacy research in Flanders, Belgium. It has a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, it looks back at how the political and technological context has changed over the last 10 to 15 years and how the use of digital technologies and media by children, young people and adults has evolved.

On the other hand, it provides insights into current debates in the field of digital and media literacy. What are the needs of different audiences such as children, socio-economically vulnerable groups, people with disabilities or even influencers? What evolving forms of literacy do we need in our fully digitalised society? What are the key challenges in relation to practices such as sexting, cyberbullying, exploring (fake) news and (dis)information, and online gaming and dating? Flemish researchers contribute to these international debates with excellent research, while taking into account the specificities of our small region.