Media Literacy in K-12 Education: Unpacking the initiatives around the country on empowering students to thrive online and off
A recent report from The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is urging the U.S. Department of Education to prioritize media literacy in K-12 schools. The 251-page report emphasizes the necessity for a coordinated effort between the federal government and businesses to ensure the well-being of students.
Several states, including California, Delaware, New Jersey, and Texas, have already made significant strides in advancing media literacy. This new report and the actions that states are already taking lay the foundation for the future of K-12 education. Read on to dive into the report’s details and what it means for social media education.
The importance of setting students up for success
As educators, why should we care about media literacy? First, let’s break it down. Media literacy education is essential to empower students to apply critical thinking to any media that they consume and teach them how to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and communicate using media in all of its forms.
Students spend about 8.3 hours a day online, and for students, social media is being social. It’s how they connect with others, stay informed about current events, and engage in topics and projects they are passionate about. There’s no doubt that social media shapes students’ lives. So, over time, media literacy has evolved to now mean meeting students where they are and empowering them to navigate and understand the world of social media.
The report and what it tells us
A 2022 Pew Research Center survey revealed that those under 30 are nearly as likely to trust information on social media as they are from national news outlets. By equipping students with media literacy skills, such as critical thinking, navigating online privacy, and evaluation, we can empower students to reflect on the content they consume, recognize fake news, and shape a responsible generation.
According to Sandro Galea, chair of the National Academies’ Committee on the Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Health, “There is much we still don’t know, but our report lays out a clear path forward for both pursuing the biggest unanswered questions about youth health and social media and taking steps that can minimize the risk to young people using social media now.”
Some of the strategies and recommendations from the report include:
- Developing industry standards to safeguard the long-term well-being of students through responsible social media use.
- Implementing targeted measures to shield young individuals from online abuse.
- Doubling efforts to enhance our understanding of the causal connection between social media and mental health. This will pave the way for specific actions aimed at mitigating potential harms and amplifying the positive aspects of social media.
The report by The National Academies follows an advisory released by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy outlining the current evidence on the impact of social media on students’ well-being. The advisory acknowledges online communities’ benefits but raises concerns about students’ social media use. It suggests various ways policymakers, technology companies, parents/caregivers, students, and researchers can work together to create social media spaces that support good mental health in students.
Some recommendations from General Murthy’s advisory include:
- For Families and Educators: Create tech-free zones to strike a balance, nurturing meaningful in-person connections alongside digital interactions.
- For Policy Makers: Strengthen safety standards in ways that make social media safer for children of all ages.
- For Students: Navigate social media in positive ways by striking a balance on platforms, blocking content you don’t want to see, and protecting your privacy.
As we continue to evolve and keep up with the changing landscape of social media and technology, we’re looking forward to seeing how we can collaborate and continue to empower students to navigate their social world positively.
TSI’s Take
When you take a positive and proactive approach to social media education, like implementing The Social Institute’s peer-to-peer learning platform, #WinAtSocial, in your school, you help students build life skills for the modern day. These essential skills equip students to navigate their online worlds in positive ways, such as critically evaluating online content, identifying credible sources, building resilience, taking a stance against cyberbullying, and so much more.
The Social Institute’s approach doesn’t scare and restrict students from social media and tech. Instead, it introduces them to the Seven Social Standards: Play to Your Core, Protect Your Privacy Like You’re Famous, Strike a Balance, Cyberback, Find Your Influencers, Use Your Mic For Good, and Handle the Pressure. Encouraging students to embrace these standards as they go along their social journeys sets the stage for online and offline success. When educators prioritize media literacy, they place student success at the forefront, equipping students with the necessary skills to make high-character choices as they navigate their social worlds.
If you’re interested in exploring our Seven Social Standards and the lessons that go with them, contact us today! Always stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest trends online by subscribing to our newsletter where we talk about trending tech and social media news weekly! In the meantime, check out our Instagram and TikTok @thesocialinst for tips, trends, and highlights when it comes to social media.
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.