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Media Literacy Now informs and drives policy change at local, state, and national levels in the U.S. to ensure all K-12 students are taught media literacy so that they become healthy, confident and competent media consumers and creators.
The State of Media Literacy in America: Where Legislative Progress Is Advancing — and Why It Matters More Than Ever
Every year, Media Literacy Now charts the national landscape of media literacy education — and this year’s U.S. Media Literacy Policy & Impact Report shows powerful momentum. As kids navigate an always-on world of persuasive media, AI-generated content, and rapidly evolving social platforms, the need for media literacy education has never been clearer. Across the country, policymakers are listening. Since January 2024, eleven states have taken new steps to strengthen media literacy education for K–12 students, reflecting broad bipartisan public support and urgent demand.
Media literacy in the age of AI
Do you know the difference between media literacy and AI literacy? The truth is that there’s so much overlap, that you can’t really have one without the other. As AI-generated content continues to inundate our screens, it is imperative that we’re teaching young people how these tools work, the impact they’re having on our lives, and how to use them ethically and responsibly.
Media Literacy Landscape Scan & Recommendations for MA
Our new report — Media Literacy in Massachusetts: A Landscape Scan and Policy Recommendations — looks at media literacy education in Massachusetts, offers insight from experts and educators, and provides recommendations for improving media literacy through state education policy. Created by Media Literacy Now and the Media Education Lab, the report highlights what’s working, where the gaps are, and why media literacy matters now more than ever. Educators and community members made it clear: students need strong media literacy skills to be safe, healthy, and confident as both media consumers and creators.
Would you give kids keys to a car without first giving them driving lessons?
No, of course not! So then why are we letting kids access the internet and social media without first providing them with media literacy education? Students, teachers, parents – everyone wants to see media literacy in the classroom. But barriers remain. Media Literacy Now is working to find solutions. Watch our PSA, share it with others, and join us to get media literacy education into more classrooms.
Failure to invest in young people’s ability to navigate the complex world of online news and media has consequences for society.
Media literacy is a critical area for us all, especially our students, to have a firm understanding of as they transition post-high school.
This is an all-hands-on-deck issue.
We need to wake up.
Adolescents’ social media use should be preceded by training in media literacy to ensure balanced and meaningful use.
I think media literacy is one of the most important
skills needed to thrive and be happy in our environment.
I know how important this legislation is to helping girls
cope in this difficult social and political environment.
This is a clear
public health initiative.
Every day my college students say media literacy should have been a part of their education in high school, and even grade school.
Do you want media literacy education in your local schools?
“What can I do to help get media literacy education into schools?” The answer is — well, many things. We created our Advocacy Toolkit for Parents and Individuals as a starting point for people interested in initiating conversations and raising awareness in their local communities. It includes a few simple ideas, activities, and resources to get started. Our toolkit has been downloaded more than 1,500 times — take a look for yourself!
130+ Media Literacy Lesson Plans, Activities for Teachers in Resource Library
Thanks to more than 30 teachers and funding from Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Harbus Foundation, we launched databases of more than 130 lesson plans and activities from a variety of sources for both science and health teachers to better incorporate media literacy into science and health instruction.
Advocacy in Action
Many teachers are already incorporating media literacy instruction into their science classrooms, but how can we make it more commonplace? Our science-focused project brings together STEM and media literacy educators to figure out how we can better incorporate media literacy into K-12 science classrooms as a way to teach students how to better evaluate scientific information.
Featured on WBUR’s OnPoint: How To Teach Media Literacy to Children
Media Literacy Now joined Faith Rogow, media literacy education specialist, to discuss how schools around the country are trying different ways to teach media literacy. “We’re handing kids these devices and they can reach anyone at any time, and anyone can reach them at any time. And what kind of guidance have we given them? Almost none,” said Erin McNeill, MLN’s Founder. Listen to the full interview.
Our Blog
In The Press
Media literacy advocate honored (Needham Observer)
https://www.edweek.org/technology/schools-play-game-of-media-literacy-catch-up-as-ai-use-rises/2026/04?s_kwcid=AL!6416!3!763337356268!!!g!!!11854709215!114906251653&utm_source=goog&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ew+dynamic+recent&ccid=dynamic+ads+recent+articles&ccag=recent+articles+dynamic&cckw=&cccv=dynamic+ad&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11854709215&gbraid=0AAAAADfp2x1sp78PCOtgx-fJ0bFjeWi1-&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxvjRBhC2ARIsAI7KJa2Og01S1mwXQSLnVQTJo17hbN243MavCPnXLrGvSklcBAtwro5IsXwaAki9EALw_wcBSchools Play Game of Media Literacy Catch-Up as AI Use Rises (Education Week)
