Comunicar 39-ingles - Revista Comunicar

60Comunicar, 39, XX, 2012land, media use for social needs clearly outweigh thepolitical ones, but there were plenty of comments oncontemporary issues:• Later on in the evening I watched TV for amoment, and just before writing this diary I read abook about boys in Afghanistan. It made me think. Irealized that what is common for me is unfamiliar tomillions of others. I feel privileged (unknown, Finland,139).6. ArgentinaThe strong expressions were also noted in the responsesfrom children in Argentina – but in a differentway. It may even be said that the overall impression ofthe responses was that they were rather emotional. InAt the present time, a wide range of initiatives are beingcarried out worldwide to promote media and informationliteracy, in particular UNESCO’s teacher training curriculum.It was created by a group of experts with the help andsupport of UNESCO and is an initiative that should be supportedworldwide.the diaries media was even seen as a good friend fillingan emptiness, preventing loneliness or boredom, orgiving life to the moments when real friends are notavailable:• Most of the media I used were fun and mademe feel good; I spent several great moments withthem, except for the newspapers that made me sad(girl, Argentina).• When I use the media to communicate withfriends I never feel alone. I always feel the company ofmy friends. I feel happy. I used the media alone. AndI talk with my friends about what is in the media ifsomething really important happens. Media are veryimportant for me because it is what I do most of theday (a girl).• When I came back from school, I used thephone a lot because it was good company while I wasalone at home. I sent text messages, I turned onMessenger to chat, and I entered Facebook andTwitter. I also used the Internet to check my emailsand to look at Amazon and the best buys (a boy).For the children living in an urban area the mobilephone is understandably a tool for the social relations,not only with friends but also family and relatives:• I also use the regular telephone, to call mygrandparents because they had been to the doctor andI wanted to know how they were. I also called a friendin another city – I do it once a week. It is a need I havebecause she is a lot of fun and we have two very differentlives (a boy).• I used my cell phone with my mother becauseI can talk to my mum for free and I texted a friendbecause there was something I needed to tell her.Then I used the regular phone to call a friend and tellher about the meeting we had in the student union. Iused the computer because Iuse it every day to chat and toenter Facebook (a girl).• Before falling asleep, Iturned on the TV to see a filmand I sent messages to my brotherwho is living in anotherprovince. I felt much betterwhen I communicated withhim, because I missed him alot. The media I most use is thecell phone (a girl).Among Argentine childrenthe mobile was a central toolfor media use. Compared tothe Finnish media diarieswhere multiple uses of mediawere common, children in rural areas in particularmade multiple use of a single medium, the mobilephone.7. KenyaAs in other countries, the children acknowledgedthe importance of media as a worldwide phenomenon.The main role of the media was seen as educatingand informative. The news is read carefully andcommented on thoughtfully in the diaries. Radio is clearlythe most important media device for childrenalong with newspapers, but the mobile phone wasalso mentioned as a tool for following the news. Thisneed to keep up with the news comes up constantly;not just the need to know what is happening in theirarea but also globally.• Before starting the daily work I have to knowwhat is happening in our country and around theworld… So I turn on the radio…I was happy withCitizen FM and their good work. You are really hel-© ISSN: 1134-3478 • e-ISSN: 1988-3293• Pages 53-62