Celebrating Global Media and Information Literacy Week
This year's Global Media and Information Literacy Week is October 24-31. We all know our kids are spending more and more time online, but have you ever thought about what they’re absorbing? From viral TikToks to news headlines on Instagram, they’re constantly consuming—and sometimes sharing—without realizing how easy it is for misinformation to sneak in.
Digital media literacy isn’t just about knowing how to use technology. It’s the ability to critically analyze the content they’re seeing, understand the motivations behind it, and think about how it impacts them and the world around them. And let’s be honest, we could all use a little help sharpening these skills, too!
Why is Digital Media Literacy Important for Tweens and Teens?
Our kids are growing up in a digital landscape where misinformation can spread like wildfire. They’re scrolling TikTok, sharing Snapchats, and chatting with friends on Instagram, sometimes without questioning where that information comes from or why it’s being presented in a certain way. Media literacy helps them:
Evaluate sources: Is that viral video accurate or misleading?
Identify bias: Who created this content, and what’s their agenda?
Protect their well-being: Understanding what’s healthy content vs. harmful media is crucial for mental health and online safety.
The earlier we start teaching these skills, the better equipped our kids will be to handle the online world responsibly and confidently.
How to Encourage Digital Media Literacy at Home
Talking to your kids about what they see online doesn’t have to be awkward or cringe-worthy! Here are a few simple, everyday activities you can incorporate into your family routine to help boost digital media literacy:
Watch and Discuss Together: If your tween or teen shares a video or article, ask questions like, "Where did this come from?" or "Do you think this is reliable?" Encourage them to look deeper and think critically.
Create a Family Fact-Check Challenge: Set aside a few minutes each week to fact-check viral stories together. Use tools like Snopes or Google Fact-Check Explorer to see which headlines are true and which are misinformation.
Role Reversal: Have your kids play the role of the "media creator" for a day. Let them design a fake news story or social media post, then talk about how they could make it seem believable. This can help them understand how easy it is to create false information online.
Media Diet Reflection: Have your teen create a "media diet journal" for a week, tracking all the platforms they use (social media, news sites, video content, etc.). At the end of the week, sit together and review it. Discuss what kinds of information they consumed, the sources, and the emotional impact of certain media. This helps them reflect on their habits and develop critical thinking about what they watch, read, or listen to.
Deepfake Detective: Share with your teen examples of deepfake videos or AI-generated content, and challenge them to spot what's real versus what's been altered. This can lead to a conversation about the importance of verifying sources, especially when it comes to viral content or "news" on platforms like TikTok or Instagram. You could even extend this by having them research and compare credible news sites with less reliable sources.
Media Literacy Conversation Cards: For a fun, engaging way to dive deeper into digital media literacy, try my Media Literacy Conversation Cards! These cards are designed for tweens, teens, and parents to explore various topics like online privacy, spotting misinformation, and understanding social media algorithms. The best part? You can use them during dinner, in the car, or whenever you find a spare moment to start those important conversations without it feeling like a lecture.These cards offer bite-sized, accessible prompts that can spark deeper thinking and reflection, and they’re exclusively available through my membership program.
Supporting Your Kids—and Yourself—with Digital Media Literacy
As much as we’re trying to help our kids navigate the digital world, it can feel overwhelming for us as parents too. By joining the membership, not only will you get access to the conversation cards, but you’ll also stay up to date on all things digital media literacy, online safety, and digital wellness—because staying informed is key to helping our kids thrive in an online world.
Digital media literacy is an essential skill for today’s tweens and teens, and it doesn’t have to be a headache for parents and guardians. With some small, intentional actions, we can all start building these skills at home.
