A More Informed Youth: Media Literacy in 2025 & Beyond

“Almost constantly.”?

That’s how often nearly half of all American teenagers say they’re online.?

From TikTok to Reels to Youtube to Snapchat, there’s a literal never-ending stream of content, ready and waiting to be consumed at any given moment, by anyone who has access to a device (which, let’s be honest, is basically all of us).??

Having a constant barrage of entertainment, information, infotainment, and everything in between makes it more challenging than ever to separate fact from fiction. With Safer Internet Day on February 11, now is the perfect time to reflect on how we consume media—and how we can help kids become responsible digital consumers.??

What Is Misinformation and Why Does Media Literacy Matter??

Misinformation refers to false or misleading information that spreads—sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. It’s everywhere online, and its consequences can be significant, influencing opinions, decisions, and even public policy.?

This is where media literacy comes in. Media literacy is broadly defined as: the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms. Being media literate empowers you to:?

• Spot fake news and misleading claims.?
• Make informed decisions based on credible information.?
• Recognize financial motives behind content.?
• Contribute positively to online spaces.?
• Avoid scams and exploitation.?

By improving your media literacy skills, you can protect yourself from misinformation while also fostering a safer, more respectful online environment.?

How Parents and Caregivers Can Help??

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in helping youth develop media literacy skills. Here are some ways we can provide support to the young people in our lives:?

• Encourage open conversations: Create a safe space for youth to discuss what they see online without fear of judgment. Ask questions like, “Tell me about where you heard that?” or “How could we figure out if it’s true or not?” to spark critical thinking.?
• Teach fact-checking tools: Introduce youth to resources like FactCheck.org, Snopes, or Media Bias/Fact Check, and practice using them together.??
• Model responsible media use: Show how you evaluate sources by discussing why you trust certain outlets or double-check information before sharing. Consider using/checking Ground News which rates the political slant of every news piece.?
• Highlight the importance of diverse perspectives: Encourage youth to follow a variety of credible sources to get a fuller picture of any issue. Look at different media outlets and international news to see how things are framed from all perspectives.??
• Set healthy boundaries: Help establish (and model!) limits for screen time and social media use to prevent information overload and promote balanced habits.?

The Role of Algorithms: How Social Media Shapes What You See?

When you scroll through social media, the content you see isn’t random. It’s curated by algorithms, which prioritize posts based on engagement and your past behavior. While this can make your feed more personalized, it also means you’re often shown content designed to keep you scrolling—not necessarily what’s most accurate or balanced.?

Why it’s important to understand how algorithms work:?

• Algorithms often amplify sensationalized or polarizing content—when the goal is to get more clicks, anything that provokes emotion (good or bad, true or misleading), is a plus for the algorithm.?
• They may trap you in an “echo chamber,” showing you only viewpoints you already agree with.?

How Parents and Caregivers Can Help?

• Discuss how algorithms work: Explain in simple terms how platforms prioritize content and why it’s important to diversify information sources.??
• Encourage mindful scrolling: Help youth recognize when they’ve been online too long and suggest alternatives like going for a walk or engaging in offline activities.?
• Monitor for echo chambers: Talk to youth about the importance of exposing themselves to different viewpoints and avoiding content that reinforces one-sided perspectives.?
• Lead by example: Share how you take breaks from social media and curate a balanced feed to set a positive precedent.?

Read more: Caring for your mental health when the algorithm has other ideas?

Recognizing and Evaluating Bias in Media?

Not all media is created equal. Bias exists in many forms, including political, cultural, and commercial. Recognizing bias is key to understanding the full picture.?

Common types of media bias:?

• Political bias: Favoring one political ideology over another.?
• Commercial bias: Using sensationalized or clickbait headlines to drive traffic and/or generate revenue.?
• Cultural or societal bias: Framing issues based on specific cultural norms or prejudices.?

3 quick steps to evaluate media:?

1. Cross-check sources: Look for the same story on multiple credible outlets, such as AP News or Reuters.?
2. Research the author: Check their credentials and any potential conflicts of interest.??
3. Analyze the language: Be wary of emotionally charged words or headlines designed to provoke outrage.?

How Parents and Caregivers Can Help?

• Practice evaluating together: Review an article or video with your child and discuss whether it’s credible and unbiased.?
• Teach youth to recognize bias: Show examples of biased headlines or articles and discuss how to spot them.?
• Promote cross-checking: Encourage youth to verify stories with multiple outlets before accepting them as true.?
• Provide balanced sources: Share news from diverse perspectives and explain the value of understanding all sides of an issue.?

Staying Safe on Social Media?

At Camp Fire, we take child safety very seriously, and that most definitely includes online safety.?

American youth spend nearly five hours per day on social media, putting them in contact with numerous viewpoints, messages, ideas, and people—usually without a trusted adult by their side to help them evaluate and process what they’re consuming.??

This means it’s more important than ever to initiate (and continue!) the conversation with kids about how to stay safe online. It takes a healthy mix of critical thinking, awareness, and proactive habits to safely navigate social media these days.??

Here are some key ways you can help kids stay secure and informed:?

• Share red flags or potential pitfalls to watch out for: For example, teach them to spot fake profiles with generic usernames, minimal activity, or unusual posting patterns as well as phishing/scam tactics.??
• Discuss privacy settings: Teach youth how to adjust their privacy settings to control who can see their content.?
• Talk about oversharing: Share examples of why it’s important to keep personal details private.?
• Encourage skepticism: Remind youth to question the authenticity of accounts. Teach them to seek answers to critical questions such as: Who created this content? Why was it made? Who benefits from it??
• Provide tools for emotional awareness: Help youth recognize when a post is trying to manipulate their emotions and discuss ways to respond thoughtfully.?

ScreenReady? With AT&T?

Our collaborators at AT&T have taken a proactive role in developing tools and resources to help people of all ages stay safe online. We encourage you to explore their extensive collection of information:??

• Digital Literacy.?
• Digital Safety tools for all ages.?
• Digital Citizenship video series, tailored for tweens/teens.?
• Digital Parenting tools.???

Becoming an informed consumer of information isn’t just about avoiding fake news—it’s about taking control of your online experience. By practicing media literacy, recognizing bias, and building healthier, safe habits, you can help yourself and navigate today’s digital landscape with confidence.

We hope you’ve been inspired to take the first step toward helping yourself and the youth in your life become smarter, more critical media consumers.??

How will you commit to fostering a safer, more informed online community in 2025 and beyond??

Additional Resources:?

• Safer Internet Day?
• The News Literacy Project?