Beyond Clickbait: How Schools Can Foster Media-Savvy Students

In a world where scrolling, clicking, liking, and sharing seem to be second nature, the importance of media literacy has skyrocketed. Recent research indicates that children between the ages of 8 and 12 spend four to six hours ¹daily engaging with digital media, while adolescents spend seven to nine hours each day. With such significant screen time, students are continuously exposed to powerful media messages that shape their beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, values, and identities; sometimes positively, but often negatively. As educators committed to preparing students not just for tests, but for life, we must ensure each learner has the tools to navigate today’s digital landscape wisely. Media literacy isn’t just another buzzword; it’s foundational to developing future ready students who can thoughtfully and critically engage with the world around them.

Educators (myself included) can be guilty of playing “buzzword bingo” as we have words and phrases for almost everything. So, to level set this post, I’ll offer the thought that media literacy is the ability to decode media messages, assess their influence on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and create media thoughtfully and responsibly. Just as reading and math skills must be taught intentionally, media literacy skills require deliberate instruction and ongoing reinforcement. Teaching students to critically consume and responsibly produce media ensures they become empowered and informed digital citizens.

1. Make Media Literacy Integral, Not an Add-On

Rather than treating media literacy as one more box to check, intentionally weave it naturally into the existing curriculum across subject areas. (We can’t leave its inclusion to chance!) Whether it’s analyzing historical propaganda in social studies, dissecting media bias in language arts, or interpreting scientific information in STEM classes, integrating these skills organically helps students see their real-world relevance.

One free, high-quality resource that teachers can leverage to support this area is Screenready, a dynamic set of brief, video-based lessons, sectioned into courses, that can be used to help students learn about important media literacy topics. Some examples include “digital habits,” “frauds and scams,” “online misinformation,” “passwords and accounts,” among others. These lessons can provide the foundation for teachers to have these needed conversations in the classroom, or can even be used to support conversations at home with parents and caregivers. 

2. Empower Educators through Meaningful Professional Learning

Media literacy skills aren’t only for students; educators need them too. (I won’t mention the need for parents and their Facebook posts here either!) Invest in ongoing professional learning opportunities that equip your staff to confidently model and teach these essential skills, and recognize it goes beyond training our librarians (who are a tremendous asset here!) during in-service time. Consider experiences that dive into practical strategies for identifying misinformation, understanding digital bias, and promoting thoughtful online communication.

3. Prioritize Critical Thinking Over Clickbait

Today’s students (and adults!) are bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information daily; some of it accurate, much of it misleading. We know that excessive media exposure can contribute to cyberbullying, mental health concerns, low self-esteem, and reinforcement of harmful stereotypes. It’s imperative we teach students to pause and ask questions critically (and model this as adults!). Encourage them to evaluate sources by asking: Who created this? Why was it created? What perspectives are included or missing? Developing these questioning habits helps students move beyond surface-level reactions to deeper understanding and informed decision-making.

I can think back to a personal example here from when I taught at the middle level early in my career. We’d do a “research” lesson on “Whale Watching in Minnesota” and point students to a website that highlighted all of the opportunities available for families to visit. Students would then research answers to questions found on the (misinformation) website. Throughout the lesson, in my mind, I begged for a single student to raise his/her hand and say, “Mr. Murray, come on now. There are no whales in Minnesota!” But, nope. In three years of teaching that lesson, it never happened. (However, the end of that lesson was always a fun conversation!)

4. Understanding Algorithms and Digital Footprints

Many students don’t realize how deeply algorithms influence their online experiences. Teaching students how digital platforms collect data and use algorithms to tailor content can help them become more aware consumers. Encourage students to recognize how their online interactions influence the information they receive and guide them in developing practices for mindful and ethical online behavior. Encourage students to be willing to take a stand and call things out when they see the opposite, which is a life skill as well.

5. Build Authentic Student Voice Through Digital Creation

Media literacy isn’t just about consuming content; it’s also about creation. Educators can work to provide opportunities for students to produce and share their own digital content responsibly. (Let’s be real. It’s something many teens are doing outside of school anyway!) Whether it’s a student-run podcast, blog, video channel, or social media takeover, authentic creative experiences empower students to understand the power — and responsibility — that comes with digital storytelling.

6. Engage Families as Media Literacy Partners

Extend media literacy beyond the classroom by actively engaging families. Host family nights or create simple resources that help parents understand media literacy and support these skills at home. We all know that when schools and families collaborate, students receive consistent reinforcement that amplifies their critical media habits. …and, just maybe, it can even support parents in growing here as well.

Future ready students need more than technology; they need the skills to critically navigate and shape their digital world. By embedding media literacy deeply into the fabric of our schools, we aren’t just preparing students for tomorrow; we’re empowering them to make critical decisions today. Schools that commit to this journey will see students become more engaged learners, more thoughtful communicators, and more responsible digital citizens. 

Let’s not wait for the next viral trend or online crisis to realize the urgency. The time to embed media literacy is now; one lesson and one conversation at a time. Together, let’s advocate for educational policies that prioritize media literacy, equipping our students not just to survive the digital age but to thrive, lead, and positively transform the world they inherit.