Promoting media literacy among school students

Context

Disinformation is spread rapidly in the digital space and is a threat to societies and individuals worldwide. Children and young people often lack the skills and experience to be able to make sense of and verify information. They are therefore particularly vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation and the unfiltered spread of such information.

Disinformation and online gender-based violence (OGBV) are often interconnected and mutually reinforcing, particularly with regard to the oppression and discrimination of girls and women in the digital space. It is therefore important to develop media and information literacy among young people early.

Objective

Media and information literacy has improved among students at German schools abroad and schools with a German language diploma abroad.

Approach

Media and information literacy is a powerful instrument against disinformation. It encompasses the ability to deal with all types of media and information safely, securely and responsibly.

Schools are an ideal place to teach media literacy and foster it early. Media academies that focus on promoting media literacy offer a good opportunity to improve students’ resilience to disinformation and develop their expertise as digital natives.

At the interactive media academies, students learn how to handle information and online gender-based violence in an informed manner. The focus is on fostering personal development and self-realisation among the young people participating. The interactive sessions with the Sport for Development approach provide additional experiences and skills learning through physical activity.

The students then carry what they learn with them beyond the school environment and create awareness for the subject of media and information literacy as multipliers. The project also develops ways for teachers to promote media and information literacy within the subjects they teach.

The media academies are run in cooperation with the Central Agency for German Schools Abroad.

Last update: August 2024