The bulletin summarises media literacy activities by a range of organisations in the UK and overseas. These activities include events, research, projects and initiatives and a range of international contributions.
Editorial note
Thank you to all who shared their updates for this edition of the Making Sense of Media bulletin. We have provided points of contact wherever possible, for the purposes of collaboration between network members.
A reminder that these updates are provided by our network members and reflect their individual views and contributions. Inclusion here does not imply endorsement by Ofcom.
Previous bulletins are available upon request.
Ofcom programme a UNESCO Global MIL winner
Ofcom’s work on media literacy interventions supporting underserved communities has won second place in UNESCO’s Global Media Literacy awards 2023.
The award-winning work saw Ofcom's Making Sense of Media (MSOM) programme commission 13 organisations supporting older adults, people living with disability, children aged 10-14 and communities experiencing financial disadvantage to run initiatives to improve media literacy knowledge and skills.
Learnings from the project – which included the piloting and implementation of MSOM’s Evaluation Toolkit (PDF, 2.9 MB) – will inform our understanding of what works in media literacy delivery and will be shared with the UK sector.
Judges praised the seven winners for their excellence and leadership across education, research, policy, advocacy and media and communication industries.
Media literacy by design - best practice principles
Ofcom has published responses to our request seeking views on how tech firms can design their platforms in a way that promotes media literacy. The best practice principles for media literacy by design encourage platforms of all sizes to consider how they might promote media literacy. They are designed to support platforms to:
- Become accountable for making media literacy a priority and increase transparency surrounding the development and impact of on-platform interventions to promote media literacy
- Monitor and evaluate these interventions on an ongoing basis
- Ensure the development of timely on-platform interventions that put user needs at the centre of the design process
The revised version of the principles and our summary of responses are expected to be published in Spring 2024.
Train the trainer programmes
Ofcom has commissioned expert providers to deliver training for professionals working with children and young people across three sectors. Please see details of the courses below and register or share with your networks as appropriate.
Training for teachers and education professionals
Shout Out UK (SOUK) and Ofcom are collaborating to deliver ‘Train the Trainer’ media literacy programmes across the country for teachers and youth professionals, running from October 1 until March 31, 2024. The lessons will focus on digital resilience, and skills to help safeguard vulnerable young people and promote active and positive digital citizenship. For more information, email amanda@shoutoutuk.org.
Training for children’s mental health professionals
stem4 are offering media literacy training for those working in healthcare, social care and the youth sector so that they can better support young people in getting the most from the online world and avoid harms. The training will be led by consultant clinical psychologist Dr Nihara Krause and consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Richard Graham. Sign up for a live webinar on 1 February, or watch the training videos in your own time.
Training for children’s social care providers
“Taking Care Online” is CPD-accredited free training on digital safety for frontline workers in children’s residential care. Interactive virtual training sessions are taking place this spring, delivered by Internet Matters and online safety expert Karl Hopwood, in partnership with Ofcom. Training will be followed up with a check-in session for participants. Learn more or sign up for free.
Digital Youth Work conference in Glasgow – Youthlink Scotland
YouthLink Scotland are celebrating Safer Internet Day on 6 February 2024 with a Digital Youth Work conference in Glasgow.
Join them for an exciting day with a focus on digital inclusion, cyber resilience and employability with input from youth workers, academics, 5 Rights Foundation and more. For more information contact Hilary Phillips.
Young people to host virtual conference - UK Safer Internet Centre
To celebrate Safer Internet Day 2024, the UK Safer Internet Centre is excited to share a unique afternoon of speeches, panels and workshops hosted and delivered by young people aged 9-18, for guests interested or working in online safety, youth voice and media literacy.
For more information contact Sharon McQuarrie.
Becoming NewsWise: educating news literacy conference
Hear about effective news literacy teaching from NewsWise, the National Literacy Trust, the PSHE Association, the universities of Birmingham and Liverpool and real teachers at this conference on Monday 5 February at the Guardian's office in Kings Cross, London. Free to attend.
Safer Internet Day assembly for UK schools – Be Internet Legends
On Tuesday 6 February at 9.30am, Be Internet Legends will host a special Safer Internet Day assembly for UK schools – building digital skills and awareness of online risks.
Impact on information literacy on society - MILA
MILA has published a report that presents findings from a review of literature on the impact of information literacy (IL) on society.
The research, undertaken by Bruce Ryan and colleagues at Edinburgh Napier University, provides an evidence base on the relevance of IL in different contexts. Contact Stephane Goldstein for more information.
Research into online misogyny and image-based abuse – Internet Matters
This report by Internet Matters examines online misogyny's impact on teenagers, spotlighting influencer Andrew Tate's disproportionate influence on teenage boys and young dads.
For more information contact Simone Vibert.
Everyday Misinformation Project – latest publication
Read the latest publication from the Leverhulme-funded Everyday Misinformation Project.
It integrates theories of narrative, identity, cultural capital, and social distinction to interpret how ordinary people construct misinformation as a social problem. And it explains some key policy implications.
Contact Professor Andrew Chadwick for more information.
Tech and Kids - Internet Matters
Technology changes quickly and impacts children in so many different ways.
'Tech and Kids: Making the most of digital futures' is a series of guides from Internet Matters helping parents manage the benefits and risks of new and emerging technologies. Contact Sheena Peckham for information.
Digital citizenship map
The Digital Citizenship Map brings together noteworthy organisations and projects from across Europe that tackle the digital skills gap in innovative and impactful ways across five pillars.
It serves as a resource and inspiration for policymakers, educators, practitioners and civil society. Contact Stella Meyer for information.
Seniors united against misinformation
The Seniors United against Misinformation project is a European initiative to promote media literacy amongst seniors (those aged 65 and over).
They are launching a toolkit and are keen to speak to others in Europe about expanding or replicating the project.
European Media and Information (EMIL) network
The European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (EPRA) has a European Media and Information Literacy (EMIL) network for regulators and network groups to discuss media literacy.
If you think this is relevant to your organisation, please contact Emmanuelle Machet.
Media Literacy and Media Education Research Methods – new book published
A new book, Media Literacy and Media Education Research Methods - a Handbook, has been published, edited by Pierre Fastrez and Normand Landry.
It provides reference points and tools for exploring the range of research methods used to study media literacy.
Report on media and information literacy initiatives - Arcom
The French regulator for audiovisual and digital communication, Arcom, published a report on media and information literacy (MIL) initiatives in December 2023.
They also adopted a roadmap for the future of Arcom’s MIL work.
ITU recruiting youth envoys for Generation Connect
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is recruiting its next cohort of youth envoys.
Aged 18-24 from around the globe, these young people will engage with the ITU to advocate for major policy issues that matter to young people within the context of digital development.
It’s a voluntary engagement to be conducted mostly virtually, although some envoys may travel to events. Applications are due by 10 February.