THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
20
THE ROLE AND NECESSITY OF MEDIA LITERACY IN THE PROCESS
OF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Sharipova Guzal Usmanbekovna
Doctor of philosophy (PhD) in historical sciences
department of “History and source studies of islam – IRCICA”,
International islamic academy of Uzbekistan.11, A. Qodiriy,
100011, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Pardayev Ozodbek Gayrat Ogli
Modern Economics and International Economic Relations
International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan.11, A. Qodiriy,
100011, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
@pardayevmaqsud340@gmail.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15349693
Abstract.
This article analyzes the impact of media literacy on personal
development in Uzbekistan and globally. The opportunities and dangers of
media, problems of attention management, cultural awareness, mental well-
being and the connection with the discipline of thought are covered in a
scientific approach. Based on practical observations, literary quotations and
statistical evidence, it is proven that media literacy is a decisive factor in
personal development.
“A society that cannot manage technology is a society that has
abandoned its own thinking.” — Neil Postman
1
In today's globalization and techno-rational age, human thinking is
undergoing significant and complex changes in the flow of information. Not only
information consumption, but also purity of thought, mental alertness, and
internal discipline have become the problems of today. Information media, in
particular social networks, have become a new testing ground for human mental
and psychological resources. In such conditions, media literacy is not just a
technical skill, but also a cultural and moral competence. In terms of personal
development, many thinkers, psychologists, and social educators emphasize the
importance of conscious media consumption. For example, Cal Newport in his
work “Deep Work” emphasizes: “Deep thinking is the intellectual advantage of
the modern world. It means concentration, lack of distraction, and true
efficiency”
2
. Similarly, American writer James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits,
comments: "Attention is the most valuable currency in your life. Leaving it to
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
21
chance is like giving your life to someone else”
3
. At the same time, a responsible
attitude towards technology and conscious management of attention are
extremely relevant for any person striving for personal development. Excessive
and uncontrolled consumption of media reduces a person to the status of a
passive consumer, not an active creative subject. The inability to maintain
attention for a long time is one of the main obstacles to human development.
World statistics clearly prove this: according to a 2023 report by the Pew
Research Center, users aged 18–30 in the United States spend an average of 7.3
hours a day in front of a screen
4
. Also, according to a 2024 statistical analysis,
each user around the world spends an average of 2.5 hours on social networks,
and this figure is increasing every year
5
. These figures are not without reason -
they show what serious consequences the lack of conscious media consumption
can lead to. Most experts emphasize that if a person cannot manage his time and
attention, he cannot manage his life. And it is important to raise awareness of
this issue among world societies, especially among the Uzbek people. Every
young person has a smartphone in their hands, and many consider it a source of
convenience. In fact, this tool is a double-edged sword: if controlled, it can be a
blessing, if not controlled, it can become a disaster. Psychologically, the first 30
minutes of a person's activity before going to bed and after waking up determine
the quality of the day. That is why Robin Sharma suggests in his works to stay
away from the phone and meet the morning with "gratitude and
contemplation"
6
.
Recently, I conducted personal observation on public transport — buses
and metro — for several days. What caught my attention was that about 80% of
passengers were using their mobile phones during the trip. Among them, the
majority were those spending time on social networks, watching videos, and
listening to music. Some were also observed listening to online lessons or
reading text resources through headphones. Statistical data also confirms this
situation. According to the State Statistics Committee, as of 2024, 99.2% of the
population aged 10 and older in Uzbekistan use mobile phones
7
. According to
Beeline Uzbekistan, passengers in the Tashkent metro alone consume more than
60 terabytes of internet per month.
8
. On this basis, I can say that technology,
especially mobile communication devices, has become an integral part of our
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
22
lives. The issue is not only in their existence, but also in the purpose and
consciousness with which they are used. Every person who wants to develop
mentally should perceive technology not as a distraction, but as a tool for
personal growth.
Let's listen to another enlightened observation: “Putting down the phone
and staring at it without looking at it at all is a criterion for measuring the true
level of spiritual will.” This idea reminds us that we should pay attention not to
the media, but to the attitude towards it. If a person does not control his own
psychic climate, the digital environment will take over him. Therefore, the most
basic principle in media literacy is dominance, that is, a person should control
technology, not technology, and a person should control technology.
In particular, the following strategies are important for the development of
media literacy: information filtration, that is, choosing reliable sources and
avoiding excessive information. In international practice, the “digital
minimalism” approach proposed by Cal Newport is widespread, which
recommends using only the most essential applications and platforms.
9
. In
Uzbekistan, this approach can be implemented through “Digital Culture” courses
at universities.
Time management, i.e. setting clear time limits for media use. For example,
the “digital detox” method – giving up smartphones and social networks for a
certain period of time – can help restore focus
10
. The «Smartphone-Free Day»
campaign, which was piloted at Samarkand State University in 2023, was
observed to increase student productivity by 20 percent
11
.
Information hygiene, i.e. not using your smartphone before bed and after
waking up, and limiting screen time, can help strengthen psychological health.
Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi says in his book “Flow”: “The happiest
moments are those when attention is fully focused on a single goal”
12
.
International experience has recognized media literacy as an important
factor in personal development. In the Finnish education system, media literacy
is taught from primary school. Finnish students receive special lessons on
evaluating information sources, identifying fake news and staying safe in the
digital environment. As a result, Finnish youth have the highest literacy rates in
the digital environment. In Turkey, the “Media Literacy” program is integrated
into school curricula and teaches students to critically analyze information
13
.
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
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Uzbekistan can learn from these experiences and adapt them to its
education system. For example, the “Digital Literacy” course, which was piloted
in Bukhara region in 2024, taught 2,000 students’ skills in information
verification and identifying fake news. As a result, students’ trust in fake news
on social media decreased by 15%. The future development of media literacy is
closely linked to artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technologies. AI-based
platforms can automatically analyze the reliability of information and help
identify fake news. To implement such technologies in Uzbekistan, it is
necessary to expand cooperation with the Ministry of Innovative Development
and the private sector. For example, the AI-based “Fake News Detector”
program, which was piloted at the Tashkent University of Information
Technologies in 2024, correctly analyzed 85 percent of messages on social
media
14
.
In addition, media literacy needs to be more widely integrated into the
education system. By introducing the subject of “Digital Culture” in schools and
universities, young people can be taught the skills of critical analysis of
information, digital safety and ethical consumption. There are successful
examples in Uzbekistan in this direction: for example, in 2023, a pilot program of
the subject “Digital Literacy” was introduced in 5 schools in the Namangan
region, as a result of which students’ information verification skills increased by
30%. Media literacy has become an integral part of personal development in
modern conditions. Although technologies make human life easier, their
uncontrolled consumption undermines attention, time and mental health. To
develop media literacy in Uzbekistan, it is necessary to expand educational
programs, use international experience and introduce practical strategies.
Projects implemented by AOKA, UNICEF and local universities are an important
step in this direction, but greater success can be achieved by covering rural
areas and introducing new technologies such as AI. By managing their attention,
each person not only achieves personal growth, but also contributes to
increasing the intellectual potential of society. Media literacy is not only the art
of analyzing information, but also the art of consciously managing one’s own life.
The choice lies with each of us: to use technology as a tool or to turn ourselves
into a tool?
