Category: Upcoming Events

In commemoration of the Global Media Literacy Week #GMIL2024, ZITET delivered a transformative media and information literacy community workshop on “Ensuring Digital Safety Through Intergenerational Dialogue” at Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Chikonohono Main church in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province on the 27th of October 2024.

The event sought to promote media and information literacy skills across generations, enhance the church community’s awareness on digital rights, cyberthreats, responsible online behavior and activate parents as the first line of defense for their children’s safety in online spaces through open intergenerational dialogue. This initiative aligns with government’s aspirations to have a digitally literate population towards the realization of an upper middle income society by 2030 (National Development Strategy 1)

The intergenerational discussions revealed that unique digital interactions exist among parents and children. Participants shared their different approaches to information consumption, highlighting how children are often more adept at navigating the Internet. This conversation paved the way for further discussions on responsible online behaviors that should be adopted to ensure safe online spaces, reinforcing the notion that digital safety transcends mere technical solutions; it involves nurturing mindful, ethical, and rights respecting digital behaviours.

Some of the responsible online behaviors that were highlighted include;

• Avoid Digital Babysitting – Be present for your children. Make time for unstructured play with your child/children where you engage in activities that you both enjoy, such as reading books, building blocks, or playing games
• Fostering an environment of trust so that children are comfortable to approach parents with questions or issues related to their online experiences,

• Educating children about the importance of privacy settings on social media platforms and other online accounts.

• Keeping yourself updated on the latest online trends, applications and social media platforms

• Engaging in ongoing conversations with your children about their online activities, interests and the platforms they use

• Equip your children with critical thinking skills to discern between reliable and potentially harmful online content

• Regularly check devices and accounts , implement a routine of checking your child’s devices and online accounts. Regularly review their browsing history, installed apps and social media interactions

• Promote digital empathy and teach online etiquette

• Emphasize the importance of consent and respecting others’ privacy online and seeking permission before sharing someone else’s content, images or personal information

• Knowing, promotion , protection and fulfilling of the fundamental human rights that are translated as digital rights in digital spaces, e.g. the right to freedom of expression, right to privacy, right to dignity, right to access to information.

The discussions also emphasised the challenges and risks faced by various age groups in digital spaces. Parents expressed their worries about protecting their children from harmful content and online predators, while young participants, as alluded to by Takudzwa Kangadzi’s presentation voiced their concern over the toxicity that accompany social media like hate speech, cyberbullying, body shaming and misinformation mostly shared through Artificial Intelligence, hence a need for parental guidance. Concerns were also raised regarding protecting the right to privacy of children in digital spaces. Should parents or guardians go through their children’s phones or gadgets?

This intergenerational exchange also illuminated critical issues like the skill gaps that exist between younger and older generations which has resulted in privacy concerns, and potential abuse in a digital landscape. It also cultivated a shared understanding of the complexities surrounding media consumption and digital rights and created a safe space for participants to connect and learn from each another, and a strong sense of community and collective responsibility, towards addressing the challenges posed by technological advancements.

Looking ahead, the insights gained from this workshop will guide our continued efforts towards promoting digital equity by empowering all generations to be informed and resilient digital citizens.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the SDA Chikonohono Main Church, Moreblessing Makota, Takudzwa Kangadzi and everyone who actively participated in this important dialogue, and we eagerly anticipate building upon this foundation continually. This event is testament of our ongoing commitment to advancing media and information literacy education towards ensuring a digitally literate community that values safety, human rights, and shared knowledge. Let us continue to foster these intergenerational conversations for a brighter, more informed digitally smart Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe Information and Technology Empowerment Trust (ZITET) joins the global community in commemorating the Global Media and Information Literacy Week, celebrated from 24- 31 October 2024. This year’s theme, “The New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information,” underlines the critical role of media and information literacy in today’s digital age.

ZITET is actively involved in projects that enhance media and information literacy in society. This is done through:

Research on Media and Information Literacy  – ZITET is actively engaged in research to explore the media literacy landscape. Our studies focus on identifying gaps in media and literacy skills among different demographic groups and developing strategies to address these gaps. We also research the
future of media and information literacy, focusing on skills and the evolving landscape.

Capacity Building Initiatives – We are committed to enhancing media literacy through various capacity-building programs. These initiatives include:

• • Digital Literacy Training: Providing essential digital skills to resource-constrained communities, with a special focus on young women and marginalised groups. We have trained over 3000 women and girls in digital literacy.
  • Workshops and Seminars: Conducting workshops to educate the public on the importance of media literacy and how to critically evaluate information sources. Over 500 people have been trained in media and information literacy including building resilience against disinformation.
  • Community Outreach: Partnering with local leaders, religious groups, and organisations to extend our reach and impact, ensuring that media literacy education is accessible to all. We have collaborated with communities in six of Zimbabwe’s ten provinces, as well as in seven other African countries and one international country, to raise awareness of media and information literacy

These capacity building initiatives align with the call to action by the United Nations: Pact for the Future where there is a need for collective efforts to design and roll out digital and media literacy to ensure that all users have the skills to safely and critically interact with content and with information
providers to enhance resilience against harmful impacts of misinformation and disinformation.

Information dissemination – We disseminate information and resources to raise awareness of media and information literacy. We have reached over 10,000 people from across the globe through social media and physical information dissemination programmes.

Mentorship – Acknowledging the potential of Africa youth, especially in Zimbabwe, we create and implement mentorship programmes focused on media and information literacy for young people. We have provided mentorship on media and information literacy to over 400 young people drawn from
nine countries.

This year, we have several programs planned to commemorate GMIL Week, featuring workshops and webinars that align with this year’s theme. As we commemorate Global Media and Information Literacy Week, ZITET reaffirms its commitment to empowering communities through media and information literacy. We invite government departments, international development partners, academia, the private sector, civil society, and individuals to work together with us to promote media and information literacy. For more information about our projects and plans, contact us at zitetdigital@zitet.org.zw/ zitetdigital@gmail.com or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZITETDIGITAL or  X: @ZITEC5.

One of the major objectives of the ” Building Resilience Against Disinformation” Workshop Series is to empower emerging leaders to take up active roles in advancing sustainable community development by combating all forms of disinformation in their respective communities.

Sharon Maputire, a #SRHR advocate from Bulawayo speaks on how the ” Building Resilience Against Disinformation Workshop” Bulawayo cohort enhanced her work in advancing Sustainable Development Goal  3 – Good Health and Well Bieng and Goal 5 – Gender Equality.

The workshop impacted my community work as a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocate in implementing SDGs 3 and 5. It served a strong purpose to help curb disinformation on sexual practices and family planning practices in traditional societies that still hold negative views as far as adolescents and sexual reproductive health is concerned. So much myths and disinformation is circulated, hence I took the opportunity to enlighten my community. This initiative helped them understand that some myths and methods are aimed to disrupt their access to sexual reproductive services, hence it is important to consult a health care professional on all reproductive issues. It was a humbling experience to give back to the community that raised me.