Media Literacy Education for All Ages

Year

2019

Publisher

Journal of Media Literacy Education

DOI/Link

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Abstract

This special issue of the Journal of Media Literacy Education explores the role of media literacy
across the lifespan. Media literacy education interventions must be designed to meet the needs of
individuals of different ages by understanding the life roles and goals that they have across the
lifespan. Different pedagogical strategies are required to effectively address the media literacy
competencies of young children, teens, adults, parents, and older adults. In old age, media literacy
education may support cognitive functioning and social relationships and help people critically
assess health-related information and services. Adopting a life course perspective enables the
examination of media literacy competencies which unfold over time in response to changing
historical conditions, social institutions and policies. This article reviews the literature to identify
the current state of media literacy for different age groups, the present and future needs, and the
media education content and instructional methods that have been used with children and
adolescents, adult, and older people.

Keywords

media literacy, human development, life course, lifelong learning, children,
adolescents, adults, older people

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