Simply put, media literacy is “the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages they’re sending,” according to Common Sense Media. Media is more accessible than ever—anyone can make a meme, post on social media, or start a blog. But regardless of the creator, all media has a purpose. The purpose is often tied to the beliefs and convictions of the creator.
Questions of whether a piece of content is unbiased or truthful aren’t easily answered. As a consumer, your media literacy increases when you acknowledge that all media strives to achieve an outcome and then dig deeper to analyze the purpose of each piece of media you consume.
For example, consider television commercials. The purpose of a commercial is to convince viewers to buy a certain product. Creators accomplish this in a variety of ways: they make the product look appealing by showcasing what it can do; they add catchy music that gets stuck in your head after the commercial is over; they use bright colors and creative branding to help the video make an impression worth remembering.
As you watch a commercial, remembering these things can help you understand that a product might not be everything it seems on screen. Every product has deficiencies, but media will make it look perfect in order to persuade you to purchase it. In this specific instance, media literacy can help you avoid frivolous spending, prevent purchase of an item that may be ineffective, and remind you to take a step back from consumerism. With a clear head and a strong grasp of media literacy, your chances of being influenced by a piece of media are much lower.
Why does media literacy matter?
Media literacy has many benefits. Those who work to improve their media literacy are often better critical thinkers and create more responsibly. They are less easily swayed by media that may be incorrect or heavily biased. Media literacy matters to everyone, including children, teenagers, and adults. As the digital landscape changes and new forms of media become available, make sure your media literacy skills are up to par.
Social media has created a new urgency for people of all ages to learn media literacy. Information is traded in seconds between people on opposite sides of the world and anyone can create a piece of media and send it out with just a few taps. While media literacy can help you avoid making a rash purchase when watching commercials, it can also keep you wary of information presented as fact without credible or reliable sources to back it up.
How to improve media literacy
If you’re looking to improve your media literacy, there are several simple things you can do to start. Practicing a little every day will ensure your progress. Try the following ideas to begin, courtesy of Common Sense Media.
- Ask yourself who created the media you’re viewing. Why might that particular person or entity create such a piece of media?
- Who is the message intended for? Are you watching a commercial for a kids’ toy or a political ad meant for voting-age adults?
- Was information left out of the media? What do you still wish you knew? If you had the missing information to begin with, would your opinion be different after consuming the media?
- How did the messaging make you feel? Are there other groups of people or even individuals who might feel differently if they viewed the same material? Why do you think that is?
As you take in the information we provide at Policy vs Politics, it’s important to use your media literacy skills. Information comes from all sides of an issue. The more you investigate the topics that matter to you, the better your media literacy skills will become. This will help you prepare to understand the ins and outs of policies that affect you.