Media literacy

What is media literacy?

Media literacy refers to the skills needed to be able to critically access, analyse, evaluate and create media in various forms. Media literacy is an essential life skill, especially in an increasingly digital age. Evaluating the reliability of online media and news stories, and most recently, AI outputs, requires evermore complex skills, including critical, digital and information literacy.

From the invention of writing to the emergence of generative AI, what it means to be literate has always been influenced by the technology we use to communicate. We are shaped by these advancements and with each development, are required to consider not just the literacy skills needed for the current time, but for the future. This is why, alongside all our work in early years settings, schools and communities across the UK, our Future of Literacy project seeks to explore and actively evaluate the literacy skills needed to thrive in a shifting landscape.

Why is media literacy important?

As media consumption evolves and misinformation presents a growing threat, it is more important than ever to support media literacy education and initiatives that develop critical thinking, digital competency, and informed civic participation.

Tackling mis- and disinformation

Media literacy is important for many reasons. Developments in digital technology have democratised access to media creation and publishing, radically altering who can create and share news and information. While this can have many benefits, it also means we must all develop new skills to support an informed critical analysis of what we see or read, so we can evaluate its veracity, source and any potential bias. Without these skills, children and adults alike, are more susceptible to misinformation and disinformation, which can distort our understanding of vital issues such as health, politics and finance.

Protecting equality

Disadvantaged communities, already facing barriers to access resources and information, are further marginalised if they don't have the media literacy skills they need to thrive online, widening the digital divide and limiting social mobility.

Preparing children for their future

Employability is increasingly tied to digital and critical thinking skills and those without these skills may have more limited opportunities in the modern job market.

In order to support these aims, we participate in relevant working groups and you can learn more about our programmatic and research work in this area here: