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.
Untold Stories – Guardian Foundation and Red Chair Highland to deliver media literacy initiatives for Ofcom
Ofcom has commissioned the Guardian Foundation and Red Chair Highland to deliver media literacy initiatives to help people to spot mis and disinformation through improved news literacy, as part of our Untold Stories programme. The organisations will be delivering the initiatives in areas of financial disadvantage, from the Highlands of Scotland to London, with the Guardian Foundation working with children and Red Chair Highland with adults. Untold Stories has a focus on teaching participants about the news and how it is produced, to support them to better distinguish professionally produced journalism from other forms of content online. We are excited about what Untold Stories will tell us about what works when delivering these kinds of initiatives and will be sharing lessons learned from both organisations with the network.
Glasgow media literacy project lifts off
Glasgow Life and Mhor Collective have kicked started their Media Literacy project across the City of Glasgow. The newly formed partnership is delighted to announce new team members, Peter McKenna and Helen Wright, who will be dedicated to delivering the project across Glasgow. For further information please contact Shona Munro.
MSOM’s new Research, Evidence and Evaluation Working Group
Fourteen academics and experts with a shared interest in media literacy research and evaluation have joined our new Research, Evidence and Evaluation working group.
The group, which will meet four times a year, supports the Making Sense of Media (MSOM) programme in meeting its strategic priorities across research, evidence and evaluation, as set in our three-year strategy A Positive Vision for Media Literacy.
The group’s purpose is:
- To build a better understanding and measurement of media literacy, both in relevant sectors and in raising awareness among the wider general public in the UK.
- To provide expert insight into best practice and developments in the field of evaluation.
- To deepen understanding of ‘what works’ for the delivery of media literacy interventions in relevant sectors.
We’d like to thank everyone who expressed an interest in joining the working group. We had a high number of applicants and balanced a number of factors to ensure we had representation of a range of expertise and interest across the group.
Details of members can be found on our website: Research, Evidence and Evaluation Working Group.
Media literacy teacher training review
Check out our new article series! In the first post, Making Sense of Media advisory panel member Professor Julian McDougall shares the recommendations from his recent piece of work reviewing media literacy teacher training courses Media literacy - a teachable moment.
Do you deliver programmes in Northern Ireland?
Ofcom is working with local organisations in Northern Ireland, to create a plan, support and empower local people with strong literacy skills for living life online, if you are working on digital skills and media literacy in this region, we would be grateful if you could complete this short survey.
If you can think of any other organisations working with children or adults in Northern Ireland to improve their online lives, do please share the survey.
Research from Good Things Foundation:
Exploring the Relationship between Deep Poverty and Digital Exclusion Trussell Trust and Good Things Foundation commissioned WPI Economics to review the evidence base on the links between digital exclusion and deep poverty in the UK.
A further collation of research and evidence can be found here: Research & Evidence | Good Things Foundation which includes; Basic Digital Skills, Digital Services, Access, Confidence and Engagement. For more information on the research contact Katie Heard.
Childnet – young people and online scams
New research from Childnet from the UK Safer Internet Centre reveals that almost half of young people have been scammed online. This Safer Internet Day research highlights the importance of young people being involved in conversations around scams online, as well as a need for further education and support. For more information contact Rebecca Cawthorne.
MaPS – review explores rise of digital money
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has published a review that explores what the existing literature and evidence tells us about the rise of digital money. It also examines the impact this might have on children and young people’s financial capability and the way they learn about money. For more information contact Sarah Brenig-Croft.
Review on media literacy for 0-5-year-olds: Parent Zone
A new report published by Parent Zone with support from Nuffield Foundation explores the potential benefits of developing 0-5 year-olds' digital media literacy. The review includes recommendations to stimulate and support further work in this critical stage of children's development.
How parents cope with online financial harms affecting children - report
Parent Zone's new report uncovers how parents are coping with online financial harms affecting their children. It calls for action from platforms, finance providers and policy makers to address this growing problem. For more information contact April Ribbons.
Internet Matters publishes new insights into children’s online lives
New data from Internet Matters reveals the latest insights into children's online lives. They have published a two-page report summarising the key findings from their November 2024 Digital Tracker survey of 1,000 children aged 9-17 and 2,000 parents of children aged 3-17. For more information contact Katie Freeman-Tayler.
Electoral Commission - Welcome to your Vote Week
Electoral Commission are running Welcome to your Vote Week, Monday 10 March to Sunday 16 March. Welcome to your Vote Week provides a time in the year for teachers and educators to start the conversation with their young people and develop the knowledge and confidence they need to cast their vote and discover other ways to get involved in democracy.
Shout Out UK will deliver a social media awareness campaign for the Electoral Commission's 'Welcome to Your Vote Week'. The campaign will engage young people and first-time voters to raise their awareness of election-related mis/disinformation. For more information Lucas Scott-Hartson.
Topical current affairs resources for primary and secondary schools
Picture News make weekly thought-provoking topical current affairs resources for over 6,000 primary and secondary schools. Contact Katie Harrison for more information.
30 organisations attended MILA stakeholder event
MILA organised a stakeholder event on 16 January, with around 30 organisations represented, to reflect on future practical, collaborative activities relating to media and information literacy. You can read about it in the MILA stakeholder event report. Please contact Stephane Goldstein for more information.
Parent Zone launches LittleEveryday campaign on YouTube
Parent Zone’s #aLittleEveryday broadcast campaign outlines simple ideas to boost family media literacy, through games and play. It's part of Parent Zone's Everyday Digital programme, designed to build positive digital skills in UK communities. Watch the broadcasts and share across your networks. For more information contact April Ribbons.
New online scams advice hub – Internet Matters
Internet Matters has created a new online scams advice hub. It provides parents with everything they need to know to protect their children from online scams, including expert advice on prevention and what to do if an incident occurs. For more information contact Ghislaine Bombusa.
ABC online safety checklist – Internet Matters
Internet Matters ABC online safety checklist encourages parents to consider new habits for their families’ digital lives in 2025. Suggested resolutions included checking connected devices and creating a plan for tech use by the family. For more information contact Emma Pierce.
Media Smart publishes new scam awareness resources
Media Smart will promote its Scam Awareness resources, enabling young people (and adults) to identify possible scams and learn how to avoid them (click the link for more information).
In March, it will also launch a major new Parents Digital Literacy campaign. For more information contact Rachel Barber-Mack, Executive Director, Media Smart UK.
New research on teens and AI – Commonsense Media
New research from Commonsense Media, Research Brief: Teens, Trust, and Technology in the Age of AI Nearly two-thirds of US teens don't trust tech to protect their mental health, and 62% doubt that companies will put user safety before profits. There is a need for greater safety measures for artificial intelligence.
MediaSmarts releases new digital workshops
MediaSmarts has released new self-guided digital media literacy workshops for parents/caregivers and educators in partnership with YouTube Canada.
Parent/caregiver workshop: Raising Digitally Resilient Kids | MediaSmarts.
Educator workshop: Digital Media Literacy 101 Educator Workshop | MediaSmarts
EU launches year of digital citizenship education
European Year of Digital Citizenship Education 2025 was launched in January. This will provide a platform for member states to set common goals, exchange sense-making practices, measure achievements and define a roadmap for the future. More details available here.
Lessons in media literacy and critical thinking from North Macedonia
Empowering Macedonian Youth to bridge media literacy and critical thinking gaps: IREX detail their Learn to Discern approach to address the unique challenges of information integrity and resilience in North Macedonia through “whole of society” interventions. This focuses on developing critical information engagement skills and healthy digital relationships; raising awareness through inclusive resources, multimedia campaigns, online courses, and public events; and catalysing education reform. More details available here.
International conferences
The European Festival of Journalism and Media Literacy is taking place 27 February – 1 March 2025 in Zagreb. More details available here.
The International Media Literacy Research Symposium 2025 will take place 4-6 June in Rome.
More details available here.