Tactical Tech

Macedonian Institute for Media: Engaging Youth in Conversations on Digital Information's Role in Democracy

3 minutes read | First published: March 5, 2025
Students interacting with the Glass Room exhibition. Photo courtesy of Macedonian Institute for Media, 2024.
“The knowledge I gained during the workshop will help me in my everyday life.” This sentiment was echoed by participants at three workshops on Online Safety, Data Privacy, and Misinformation, organized by the Macedonian Institute for Media (MIM) in cooperation with Tactical Tech and the Delegation of the European Union in Skopje. Through this initiative that featured Tactical Tech’s The Glass Room exhibition and resources, MIM engaged over 220 students, including high schoolers from Skopje, Kriva Palanka, and Strumica!
MIM, a strong advocate of professional journalism and public communication, is committed to building a democratic society where media, institutions, and civil society deliver transparent, reliable information to citizens. Engaging young people in conversations about information is a key part of this mission.
  • Participants of the workshops. Photo courtesy of Macedonian Institute for Media, 2024.
    Participants of the workshops. Photo courtesy of Macedonian Institute for Media, 2024.
  • Student analyzing the Glass Room exhibition. Photo courtesy of Macedonian Institute for Media, 2024.
    Student analyzing the Glass Room exhibition. Photo courtesy of Macedonian Institute for Media, 2024.
From privacy protection to tackling deepfake videos and avoiding clickbait, young participants eagerly joined a series of creative educational activities on misinformation. The students enthusiastically worked through the Data Detox Kit, taking on quizzes and challenges about online privacy, social media risks, and misinformation. With excitement in the air, and students feeling empowered to navigate the digital world more safely, MIM demonstrated that learning about misinformation and digital safety can be as engaging as it is essential.
Even after the events, teachers and professors expressed a desire to participate in similar future activities. The accompanying exhibition also garnered attention from local and national media, drawing guests from civil organizations, state institutions, and local authorities.
““Our overall experience partnering with Tactical Tech has been extremely positive. With a set of interesting and useful activities, we attracted a wide audience who rated the events highly and showed enthusiasm for continuing with these or similar activities. Participants from small or rural areas in particular expressed hope for re-engagement in future activities. As a team, we gained valuable experience in customizing, setting up, and maintaining a multimedia exhibition. The courses covered by the Data Detox Kit were embraced by participants, who confirmed that all the topics were equally interesting and very useful in their daily lives.””Macedonian Institute for Media Team Member
Students interacting with the Glass Room exhibition. Photo courtesy of Macedonian Institute for Media, 2024.
Students interacting with the Glass Room exhibition. Photo courtesy of Macedonian Institute for Media, 2024.