Teach us media literacy, say teens

In an era increasingly dominated by digital information, a significant proportion of teenagers are encountering conspiracy theories and misleading narratives online. This has spurred a rising demand among students for media literacy education within schools, as revealed by a recent report from the News Literacy Project.

The report highlights that a staggering 94% of teenagers believe that media literacy should be a mandatory part of their educational curriculum. Despite this overwhelming consensus, only 39% of teens have reported receiving any form of media literacy instruction during the current academic year of 2023-24.

Social media platforms serve as a primary source of information for many teens, which appears to influence their perceptions and understanding of the world. According to the findings, eight out of ten teenagers regularly encounter content that promotes conspiracy theories. This content ranges from sensational narratives about the Earth being flat to more politically charged assertions, such as claims regarding the rigging of the 2020 U.S. presidential election and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. Alarmingly, 81% of those exposed to such theories admit to believing at least one of them.

The findings suggest a worrying trend where a considerable number of teenagers do not actively seek reliable news sources. Approximately 15% of teens are identified as ‘active news seekers’ who deliberately search for news content to remain informed. In contrast, the majority passively consume news that is served to them, often through the algorithms of social media platforms, with half of them keeping informed without conscious effort and 36% making no effort at all.

Active engagement with news appears to correlate with a stronger commitment to fact-checking and civic participation. Teens who are proactive in seeking news are more likely to verify the authenticity of the content they share on social media. Furthermore, this group is more inclined to participate in civic-minded activities, such as referencing credible sources when sharing their opinions and engaging directly with journalists and news outlets to provide feedback.

Educators and schools are seen as pivotal in equipping students with the skills necessary to critically analyse information and discern credible news from misleading content. The report stresses the importance of implementing comprehensive media literacy curricula to better prepare students for the complexities of the digital landscape they navigate daily.

This report paints a broader picture of the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital information age, particularly the need for educational institutions to adapt and address the evolving landscape of news consumption among young people. As teenagers continue to navigate the vast sea of information online, the skills fostered through media literacy could prove essential in shaping an informed and discerning future generation.

Source: Noah Wire Services