The Communications Commission has trained 190 students of Public Schools N2 and N4 in Zugdidi in media literacy skills. Seminars for the primary and high school students were held as part of the “Media Economics” and “Happy Onlife” projects of the Communications Commission. Similar seminars have already taken place in Telavi, Gurjaani, Zestaponi, Kutaisi, Senaki and Lanchkhuti. Around 1000 public school students have been trained in media literacy skills in total.

IX and X grade students obtained full information about social media funding sources. They learned about the role of each user in social media funding, and about social media economics in general. High school students also learned about algorithms on various platforms. II and III grade pupils from the same schools learned the rules of safely navigating the internet through the “Happy Onlife” app. The children obtained detailed information on how to protect themselves from online threats and cyberbullying.

The media literacy project “Media Economics,” which has been recognised as a successful and effective initiative by EU countries and the Evens Foundation, serves to develop media literacy among young people, and is focussed on teaching the principles of digital media economics. “Happy Onlife” is an online app for young people that aims to teach them through games to use digital media safely and responsibly, as well as to critically assess and analyse online content. The app is regarded in EU countries as one of the most effective media literacy projects, and helps parents and teachers to actively pursue the development of the children’s media literacy skills and protect them from cyberbullying. “Happy Onlife” is available free of charge on iOS and Android mobile devices, as well as personal computers.