Gatekeeping Misinformation with Media Literacy Education

• Published in: Knowledge quest Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 26 - 31
• Main Author: De Abreu, Belinha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago American Association of School Librarians 01.11.2021; American Library Association
• Subjects: Algorithms; Bias; Censorship; Control; Deception; Education; False information; Global Approach; Impostors and imposture in mass media; Individualized Instruction; Information literacy; Information services; Literacy Education; Media Literacy; Misconceptions; Online information services; Online services; School librarians; Services; Social Media; Social networks; Students; Study and teaching; Teachers; Web Sites; United States
• ISSN: 1094-9046

Misinformation and disinformation are a growing symptom of the lack of media and information literacy among the general public. These problems have grown exponentially because of social media use. Engaged learning should be an exchange of ideas and not limited to one idea or one form of thinking. Media literacy education provides multiple perspectives and voices to inform students' views on different subjects. Including media literacy education principles in a school's curriculum offers students the opportunity to engage in conversations that are sometimes uncomfortable but essential in order for everyone to hear and learn from different individuals. Educating students on how to find answers to their questions and how to find resources that provide valid information is integral to media literacy instruction. This article looks at these issues while also providing some ideas for how to understand social media's role in the distribution of disinformation.