edia literacy is a critical skill for navigating today’s information environment. In the digital age, where online content spreads across the world in seconds, it is paramount that individuals be able to discern reliable information. Amid polarizing discussions about the role of government and technology companies in combating online mis/disinformation, media literacy stands out as a non–contentious solution. Equipping individuals with the ability to evaluate their media based on evidence, bias, and intent is popular across the board. However, the efficacy of efforts to promote media literacy is undermined by the increasing influence of social media on how individuals consume information.
At their inception, social media platforms were meant to bring people together. Decades later, these platforms do much more. According to a November 2023 report by Pew, a third of Americans ages 18–29 regularly get their news from TikTok. And according to a June 2024 report by Pew, a majority of Americans see news–related content on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, even if they are not using the platform for that purpose. Social media platforms have seamlessly integrated news consumption with social interaction and entertainment, making them an integral part of many Americans’ lives. These platforms serve as a one–stop shop for users to monitor the latest developments, both personal and public.
While news outlets follow vetting processes to ensure the credibility of their publishing, social media platforms do not. This creates a troubling dynamic, wherein misleading information on social media platforms is just as accessible, and often more engaging, than factual reporting. This creates two challenges. First, the convenience of a one–stop shop platform competes with the importance of cross–checking information. Second, the endless feeds of content on social media overwhelm the capacity of any individual to verify all of their content.
Social media platforms have cemented a role in daily life, and created an expectation for content to be concise, engaging, and convenient. To improve the quality of information circulating on these platforms, news outlets should prioritize packaging key insights into digestible, engaging formats that seamlessly integrate into users’ daily routines. People like reliable information, but they often prioritize convenience. Grappling with this dynamic will help us recognize the unique challenges to critical media consumption, and the development of new, innovative strategies to strengthen our information environment.
a global affairs media network
Media literacy's battle is about convenience and credibility
Photo by Tracy Le Blanc from Pexels.
September 6, 2024
In a world where online content spreads in seconds, media literacy is more crucial than ever. However, distinguishing fact from fiction becomes harder as social media platforms shape how we consume news—posing challenges to media literacy efforts, writes Aaraj Vij.
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edia literacy is a critical skill for navigating today’s information environment. In the digital age, where online content spreads across the world in seconds, it is paramount that individuals be able to discern reliable information. Amid polarizing discussions about the role of government and technology companies in combating online mis/disinformation, media literacy stands out as a non–contentious solution. Equipping individuals with the ability to evaluate their media based on evidence, bias, and intent is popular across the board. However, the efficacy of efforts to promote media literacy is undermined by the increasing influence of social media on how individuals consume information.
At their inception, social media platforms were meant to bring people together. Decades later, these platforms do much more. According to a November 2023 report by Pew, a third of Americans ages 18–29 regularly get their news from TikTok. And according to a June 2024 report by Pew, a majority of Americans see news–related content on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, even if they are not using the platform for that purpose. Social media platforms have seamlessly integrated news consumption with social interaction and entertainment, making them an integral part of many Americans’ lives. These platforms serve as a one–stop shop for users to monitor the latest developments, both personal and public.
While news outlets follow vetting processes to ensure the credibility of their publishing, social media platforms do not. This creates a troubling dynamic, wherein misleading information on social media platforms is just as accessible, and often more engaging, than factual reporting. This creates two challenges. First, the convenience of a one–stop shop platform competes with the importance of cross–checking information. Second, the endless feeds of content on social media overwhelm the capacity of any individual to verify all of their content.
Social media platforms have cemented a role in daily life, and created an expectation for content to be concise, engaging, and convenient. To improve the quality of information circulating on these platforms, news outlets should prioritize packaging key insights into digestible, engaging formats that seamlessly integrate into users’ daily routines. People like reliable information, but they often prioritize convenience. Grappling with this dynamic will help us recognize the unique challenges to critical media consumption, and the development of new, innovative strategies to strengthen our information environment.
