Do you consider yourself highly media literate?

We recently conducted research on behalf of Ofcom exploring high media literacy behaviours among 13+ year olds, and in the process, our team gained many insights into what it means to be highly media literate in today's digital world. This short blog shares some key takeaways from our conversations with media-savvy teenagers and adults.

First, a definition—Ofcom defines high media literacy as "the ability to use, understand and create media and communications in a variety of contexts." In simpler terms, it’s about having the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world, while also thinking critically across digital platforms.

We spoke to people identified as being highly media literate in areas like searching, gaming and social media use. What we found is that high media literacy stems from having a diverse toolkit that empowers people to safely make the most of their time spent online. For some, this meant always double checking for "https" on websites or only chatting with known contacts while gaming. For others with public social media presence, it meant vigilantly utilizing blocking/reporting functions.

High media literacy isn't about restricting screentime or always making textbook safety decisions. It's about continually learning and honing the awareness and abilities needed to have agency over one's digital citizenship. This brings us to the question of cookies. Most people we interviewed understood how cookies work and what accepting them means, yet they still often accepted them for convenience or indifference towards certain tracking functions.

When asked what they'd miss most if offline, the majority highlighted the connectivity, belonging, and personal growth afforded by time spent online. Many felt they'd joined meaningful communities of peers who share their interests and hobbies, which for some transcended into real friendship. Others enjoyed learning life skills via YouTube or gaining confidence to apply in other areas of life. Avid gamers also described the relaxing, focusing qualities of regular online play.

Participants shared tips like avoiding over-sharing personal information, utilizing security software, frequently checking privacy settings, and warily considering how platforms store data. Yet they also acknowledged occasional lapses, admitting heighted emotions or busyness sometimes prevented ideal precautions. Still, most understood the protective options at their disposal.

When evaluating online information, many were sceptical of sponsored links and prioritized cross-checking news across sources. Some waited for reports from traditional news media before sharing on social media, while others relied on crowd-fact checking. Many expressed concerns over advancing misinformation tactics like deep fakes and AI generators.

In summary, according to our research, maintaining high media literacy includes nurturing positive communities and interests online while keeping personal safety and data privacy as priorities. It also requires frequently applying critical thinking to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. An always-learning, empowered approach describes those we view as highly media literate.

Based on the information above, do you consider yourself highly media literate? Please let us know in the comments below. And if you’d like to learn more about our research, use the link in the comments to read our full report.