The Level Of Media Education Among Social Network Users In Dhi Qar Province

This study is conducted to identify the level of media education among users of social networking sites in Dhi Qar province. In this study, we have tried to identify the level of media education. It plays a significant and sensitive role in our compatriots’ lives. It helps them choose media content better so that they do not enter the Iraq society’s Internet suddenly and accidentally. Which helped prevent the spread of cybercrime. This research seeks to answer the central question: What is the level of media education of users of social networking sites in Dhi Qar province?

In this study, a quantitative approach (survey) was used and, based on random samples (416 people), distributed between men and women in Dhi Qar province. In this study, the researcher relied on the theory of uses and satisfaction, the theory of trust in modern media, the James Potter model for media literacy, and new media theories.

In this study, the researcher achieved the following results: The level of media education for users of social networking sites is different, most audiences are dependent on social networking for information on daily events, and many people use social media sites for entertainment and leisure, there is no government oversight of social media.

The participation rate of the youth group is the highest participation in the questionnaire; in the sample, the percentage of men is higher than women, and the researcher recommended the need to activate media education in schools and universities. There is also a need for the Iraqi government to strengthen its oversight role on social media sites and to develop an independent curriculum for media education and media literacy developed by media professors at Iraqi universities that simulates all public opinion. Furthermore, to apply from middle school to universities and institutions, it is necessary to educate parents about the importance of media education because the family is the core of society and the first supervisory authority for the individual. It is the responsibility of the Iraqi educational institutions to pay more attention to the issue of media education and to enrich the libraries with studies and books because they have a severe shortage of media education and media literacy issues.