Students have found themselves enduring required classes since elementary school. Subjects such as English, math and science are considered essential for each society member to be well-versed in, and although that may be true, there is a gaping hole in the required curriculum of the digital age.
Media literacy is defined by the National Association for Media Literacy Education as “the ability to encode and decode the symbols transmitted via media and synthesize, analyze and produce mediated messages.” In an age when the consumption of online media dominates a larger portion of human lives than ever before, the teaching of media literacy is even more important than some of the classes currently required by high schools.
According to a survey conducted by Media Literacy Now, “62% of adults surveyed had no opportunity in high school to reflect on how media affects their beliefs, feelings or actions.” Media is one of the most pervasive and influential mediums of this century and it is essential to individuality and education that people become media literate as soon as possible.
Although some may argue that elementary school students are too young to learn about such topics, media literacy should be a requirement for any person possessing a smartphone — a demographic that gets younger and younger Pew Research Center reported that “around half of TikTok users (52%) now say they regularly get news there.” This easy access to news granted by social media can only be beneficial if handled correctly.
Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok provide an excellent starting point for young people who are uninterested in watching the nightly news or reading a daily news briefing. However, this method of news consumption is only effective if it is used as a launching point for further research into a topic. This is where the principles of media literacy come in. If technology users don’t know to follow up on a headline they read on Instagram by turning to a reputable news source that can lead to the further spread of sensationalist misinformation.
A study done by Boston University reported that “nearly three of four Americans (72%) surveyed say skills in media literacy are important in the face of intentionally misleading or inaccurate information in the media.”
One of the core components of media literacy is providing technology users with the critical thinking skills to notice bias in news, take a look at their own sources of media and recognize a personal bias in those choices. News organizations continue to become more polarizing with each passing day, and especially in a country with an imminent and important election on the horizon, being able to parse out fake news from the truth is a necessary skill for media consumers on both ends of the political spectrum.
In today’s media landscape, consumers often find themselves in “echo chambers” in which their sources of news directly contribute to personal biases and allow people to only consume the information they want. The first step in creating a society that prioritizes truth and critical thinking is to give young people the chance to develop a skill set in media literacy before entering adulthood.
Sophia Rooksberry is a junior studying journalism. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Sophia know by tweeting her @sophiarooks_.
