By Reina Hasting
As it has been smoky in Fairbanks, I have been glancing more at social media on my smartphone. Seeing so much information being re-shared made me think of writing about media literacy.
What is media literacy? According to the National Association for Media Literacy Education, media literacy is “the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create and act using all forms of communication. In its simplest terms, media literacy builds upon traditional literacy and offers new forms of reading and writing. Media literacy empowers people to be critical thinkers and makers, effective communicators and active citizens.”
A survey of U.S. adults conducted May 19-Sept. 5, 2023, by the Pew Research Center, shows most Americans (97%) now own a cellphone or smartphone. Mobile accounts for approximately half of web traffic worldwide, according to the online research portal Statista. With more people using smartphones comes increasing access to the digital world.
Facebook posts, tweets from X (formerly known as Twitter), TikTok reels, Instagram photos, and YouTube videos, to name a few, can share an enormous amount of information, which can be fact or fiction. Posts such as statements, memes, videos, infographics and advertisements are created to be impactful by entertaining and influencing behavior and opinions. It’s important now and at any age to have the skills to decode these messages.
A 2022 Stanford Medicine study showed the average age at which children received their first phones was 11.6 years old. With a wide age range of the population using a mobile phone or smartphone, we all need to be media literate.
How do we teach youth to critique and analyze media? We can ask questions and think about the answers. Here are some suggestions from the Center for Media Literacy.
Who created this message?
All media have an author and an agenda. Someone with a particular vision, background and agenda created a message. Question the messages you see and the platform on which messages are shared. Who was and was not involved in the creation of this? When was this made? Was it a company? Was it an individual? (If so, who?) Was it a comedian? Was it an artist? Was it an anonymous source?
Which techniques are used to attract my attention?
Different forms of media have unique ways of capturing our attention. Consider new and innovative techniques, like artificial intelligence, that have been created to do this and keep us engaged.
How does the format or method of communication impact my experience with the media?
Where or how was it shared with the public? Are they using an emotional plea? Or are they using humor or even a celebrity? Does it have statistics from a reputable source? Does it contain quotes from a subject expert? Does it have an authoritative-sounding voice-over? Is there direct evidence of the assertions it’s making?
How might different people interpret this message?
Each of us is unique with our own backgrounds, values, and beliefs. Consider that someone with a different perspective might interpret the same message differently. Who is the target audience? Is it for kids? Grown-ups? Girls? Boys? People who share a particular interest? How did the message make you feel? Do you think others might feel the same way? Would everyone feel the same, or would certain people disagree with you?
Which lifestyles, values and points of view are represented — or missing?
Popular media can sometimes reinforce certain points of view and stereotypes. Consider how certain perspectives or voices might be missing from a particular message. How does that affect the message? Is the information balanced with different views — or does it present only one side? Do you need more information to understand the message fully?
Why is this message being sent?
Try to determine the purpose of the message and the motive behind it. Is the message trying to inform you or entertain you? Was it to inform you of something that happened in the world (for example, a news story)? Was it to change your mind or behavior (an opinion essay or a how-to)? Was it to make you laugh (a funny meme)? Was it to get you to buy something (an ad)? Who paid for this? Who makes money from this? Why was this made? What does this want me to do?
Media literacy includes asking specific questions so you understand the message sent through a specific media. It also includes backing up your opinions with examples.
Media literacy allows you to learn what a given piece of media is, why it was made, and what you want to think about it.
Once you are done critiquing and analyzing media messages, you can feel more confident in deciding whether to react or share.
Reina Hasting is a coordinator with Extension’s Family Nutrition Program, administered by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service in cooperation with the U.S.D.A. Contact her at rhhasting@alaska.edu or 907-474-2437.
