The prime minister’s wife said the research should cover different aspects of media that included designing programmes according to the developmental levels of age groups and different learning styles of children, apart from blocking offensive content to protect the young minds when they surf the Internet.
“They should not only build children’s knowledge but also teach valuable lessons about living in a community that will shape believes, attitudes and behaviours toward the strength of diversity.
“They (the professional group) can also play a positive role in nation building by instilling social cohesian and consolidating racial harmony,” Rosmah said in her keynote address at the opening of the 7th World Summit on Media for Children (WSMC) 2014, in Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday.
She said educators including parents needed to master the skills in using the media as a teaching tool to foster reflective and critical thinking, and to encourage curiosity.
Rosmah said they must also control their children’s habit in television viewing, video gaming and Internet usage by watching it with them and guiding them in distingushing between right and wrong.
“It is a fact that our lifestyles today are very much engaged and attached to the media. All of us depend on information and communication to keep our lives moving through daily activities.
“However, the impact of the media on children as they grow can shape their socialisation, learning and health habits,” said Rosmah.
–BERNAMA
