Abstract (eng)
This thesis explores the media literacy of 15 to 20 year old users on Facebook.
The theoretical part describes what aspects said media literacy must contain. To this end, the first part will provide an overview of characteristics and functions of the Web 2.0 and Facebook respectively, in order to describe technical skills necessary for the protection of one's data. The second part aims to provide understanding of the terms "data security" and "privacy" and also why it's important, not to treat one's information light heartedly, as privacy is the precondition in order to arrange one's life autonomously. Furthermore, it will be explained how Facebook is a by-product of a societal development, which places people under general suspicion, consequently allowing surveillance to infuse all areas of life, under the pretext of heightened safety. The goal behind this kind of social control is to ensure concordant behaviour. To what extent this is to be expected on Facebook, will be described using Noelle-Neumann's Spiral of Silence, as a theoretical basis.
Further, the basic meaning of media literacy, according to statements from Baacke, Kübler and Schorb, will be discussed. Prior thoughts will serve to develop media literacy, specific to Facebook. This includes an examination of the themes surrounding data security, as well as knowledge and a critical attitude toward Facebook. This know-how should then be applied, when actually using Facebook.
Exploring whether or not 15 to 20 year old Facebook users exhibit these skills, was done implementing an online Survey. The results show that adolescents indeed demonstrate a critical attitude toward Facebook and surveillance and also concern themselves with the subject of data privacy. However, this discussion appears superficial and coincidental. Even if certain skills regarding the usage of social networks were to emerge from this debate, they would not be applied automatically. Therefore, sufficient media literacy of young Facebook users, could only be determined partially.