In the 1900s, few people had heard the term “media literacy.” Over the years, many groups worked to teach about it. In 2015, an called NAMLE created Media Literacy Week in the United States. That means the event in 2024 — which goes from October 21–25 — marks the 10th Media Literacy Week!
Before you can be media literate, you must know what media means. Media is all the different ways we share information. It includes newspapers, video games, books, TV shows, web sites, social media, and movies. They use text, pictures, and sounds to send a message. Media helps people communicate and learn what’s happening in the world. The News-O-Matic article you’re reading right now is a type of media too!
So, what is “media literacy?” NAMLE defines it as “the ability to access, analyze, , create, and act using all forms of communication.”
There is a lot of information out there. How can you make sense of it all? “Just like you need to learn to read and write, you need to learn how to understand and create media,” said Michelle Ciulla Lipkin from NAMLE. She shared five tips with News-O-Matic so you too can be a media-literate master.
1. Be Critical
Just because you read or hear something, that doesn’t mean it’s true. Find out where the facts come from. “Do your own research,” suggested Ciulla Lipkin. For example, you can tap the “Sources” button in a News-O-Matic article to see where the author got the info.
2. Don’t Share Too Much!
Whatever you post to the internet can be there forever. “Think before you share something on social media,” suggested Ciulla Lipkin. Never post words or images that could hurt another person. Ask yourself whether you’d be embarrassed if the whole world got to read your post in the future.
3. Ask Questions
Question everything! When you read or see information from media, think to yourself: Who made this? Why did he or she make it? Can I trust it? How does it make me feel? The more questions you ask about what you see and read, the more media literate you will become.
4. Talk About It!
“Talk about what you see and read,” said Ciulla Lipkin. “See what others have to say about things. You may be surprised to hear different points of view. It’s a great way to learn something new.”
5. Use Media to Create!
We live in an exciting time with technology. There are so many fun types of media to use! “Take pictures,” suggested Ciulla Lipkin. “Make movies. Design games. Take advantage of the wonderful ways technology is creative.”
Ciulla Lipkin looked back on the 10th year of Media Literacy Week in the United States. “SO much progress has been made,” she said. “Ten years ago, media literacy education was only discussed at conferences,” she explained. “Now it’s being talked about everywhere!” Nearly 20 states have passed laws to add media literacy in schools.
New tech like A.I. has made it easier for people to create . That’s why Ciulla Lipkin called it “ ” to be able to tell “quality information and make informed decisions.” She added: “Media literacy education has never been more .”
By Russell Kahn (Russ)
Updated October 18, 2024, 5:00 P.M. (ET)
