Media Education and the Well-Being of Society

The impact of media, particularly digital media, on societal well-being, has been a subject of ongoing discussion. However, research in this area that can be effectively utilized by decision-makers remains scarce. This article explores key themes and emerging research trends in media literacy and its impact on societal well-being. The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis using scientific mapping techniques and an executive summary approach. The analysis was based on 85 publications from the Scopus database, utilizing MS Excel and VOSviewer for data processing. The findings reveal that the intersection of media literacy and societal well-being requires further research, leading to a scarcity of studies and limited influence on policy and decision-making in this area. Consequently, the impact of media, especially digital media, on societal wellbeing is not taken into account in the development of core curricula in child and adolescent education and preventive health programs for adults. There is a significant need for greater attention and commitment to this area of research. Due to the topics, research fields and methodologies applied, the article is relevant to several scientific disciplines. Media literacy is directly related to communication and media studies, while public health policy fits into management and quality studies. The examination of well-being and the impact of media on health falls within the medical sciences.