What Is Media Literacy?

Media Literacy
Written By Lindsay McNaught

Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of media. It’s about asking the right questions and not just accepting what we see at face value.

It goes beyond “fake news.” Media literacy helps students:

  • Decode how messages are created

  • Understand the purpose and agenda behind them

  • Recognize bias and manipulation

  • Think critically and respond thoughtfully

It helps students become intentional consumers and ethical creators.

Digital Competencies are the essential skills students need to navigate an increasingly connected world. They go beyond simply using technology and focus on thinking critically, communicating responsibly, creating effectively, and making informed decisions in digital spaces. These competencies help students become confident learners, ethical digital citizens, and adaptable problem-solvers both online and offline.

Without media literacy, students can’t tell what’s real, what’s manipulated, or what’s missing. With it, they’re empowered to navigate the digital world with confidence and integrity.

Analyzing Media Messages

Want a simple way to introduce media literacy? Start with these 5 core questions:

  1. Who created this message?

  2. What techniques are used to get my attention?

  3. What values or perspectives are included—or left out?

  4. How might others interpret this differently?

  5. Why was this message created (profit, power, awareness)?

  6. What evidence supports this message?

These questions can be applied to everything from TikToks and news articles to infographics and advertisements. Use think dots and a dice to have students explore these questions.

Tools to Teach Media Literacy

Here are some of the best free resources to support your media literacy instruction:

Lindsay McNaught
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