Htqe.2022.10

https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2022.10 | 138-151 | PDF

Young People’s Media Literacy: Research and Possibilities of the Educational System

Klinta Ločmele
The Advanced Social and Political Research Institute at the University of Latvia, Latvia

Abstract. The number of risks that young people may face when using the Internet and other information channels is increasing every year. Disinformation, data fraud, information bubble as an effect of social media algorithms, and negative impact on mental health are some reasons why media literacy education has become particularly relevant in recent years. Also, in Latvia, starting from the 2020/2021 school year, a new standard of education has been introduced.
The article aims to provide insight into two issues interrelated with young people’s media literacy – its research in Latvia and its possibilities to improve how media literacy is included in the formal education system. The study consists of the analysis of the documents – the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers, which determine the educational standards in the stages of basic and secondary education, as well as the analysis of media literacy studies conducted among young people in Latvia and published over the last five years.
Studies on media literacy among young people in Latvia have some gaps which determine that currently, it is more difficult to predict young people’s exact and current needs in terms of media literacy. Although media literacy is represented in the newest educational standard for basic and secondary education, the main concern is the actual implementation of this standard in work with students, as there is still a lack of official supporting methodological materials and regular and systematic teacher education (including life-long education) in media literacy in Latvia.
An article could be helpful for education policy and media policy planners, practitioners, researchers, and organizations/institutions working in the media literacy field.

Keywords: youth, young people, media literacy, formal education, curriculum, research, teachers

In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2022. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2022. Rakstu krājums
Riga, University of Latvia, 2022. 1135 p. Ed. L. Daniela
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2022
ISBN 978-9934-18-911-1