I’m all for training people up in new technologies, and that means AI, of course. At the same time, we know these advances mean it is becoming harder and harder to identify sources and credibility of information, and to determine the veracity of “the news” in a way that allows for a shared reality.
For decades, Finland has been committed to raising its children with a set of tools that would make them media literate. Training on independent evaluation and decision making is embedded in every level of the school curriculum. Outside the schools, libraries and social and elder care organizations deliver content to their communities. There is even a national Media Literacy week in February (guess that would have been a better month for this post). If you want to read more about media literacy philosophy and efforts in Finland, here is a great link: https://toolbox.finland.fi/life-society/media-literacy-and-education-in-finland/
As I am often reminded, what works in smaller, more homogeneous societies is a heavy lift in our vast and diverse country. Did you know, though, that we also have a Media Literacy Week in the United States? It takes place in October and is put on by the National Association for Media Literacy Education.
Several states also have media literacy laws on the books that take various forms. NAMLE is driven largely by educators, and their website is here and Media Literacy Now is a grass roots organization concerned with the same topics.
At this moment in time, there is a lot of energy around limiting children’s exposure to “screens” and getting cell phones out of schools. That’s an important conversation, but this is not that conversation.
Delaying or limiting exposure does not in itself build the skills to handle media intelligently once people of any age are inevitably exposed to it in all its pure and impure forms.
On a personal level, staying skilled in this arena is as important to me as learning new technologies. What’s happening in your town?