Media Literacy and Young People
A series of projects have investigated young people’s relationship with news media and their news media literacy abilities.
Background and significance
This research is underpinned by a national longitudinal survey about young people’s news engagement.
In Phase 1 (2017-18) we carried out the first Young Australians and News national survey and we analysed the way young people and included and represented in Australian News Media.
In Phase 2 (2019-20) we implemented the News and Young Australians in 2020 survey and we worked with Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) to develop the news media literacy of young Australians. This project supported and complemented a new exhibition at MoAD titled, Truth Power and a Free Press.
In Phase 3 (2022-23) we implemented an updated version of our News and Young Australians in 2023 survey in 2023.
In Phase 4 (2025-26) we implemented the survey in 2026 (to be released August 2026) and we are developing related teacher resources with ABC Education.
Across our surveys we have found that most young Australians (aged 8-16 years) value news and consume it regularly. However, most young people feel excluded (and largely are excluded) from Australian news media and don’t trust traditional Australian news organisations. Further, most young Australians are not confident they know how to spot misinformation – yet they are not receiving regular news media literacy training at school.
National Benefit
Prior to this series of projects, very little was known about young Australians’ news engagement and news literacy and no nationally representative data existed. This prevented civil society organisations, public institutions, and governments from designing evidence-based responses to address needs and challenges. To address this, we have:
- Surveyed a nationally representative sample of young Australians aged 8-16 years to understand their news engagement practices and experiences in 2017, 2020, 2023 and 2026
- Analysed 276 news stories across 8 newspapers and 4 television news bulletins to assess how young people are included and represented in Australian news media
- Surveyed 295 Australian school teachers from every state and territory in Australia and interviewed 20 teachers
- Developed a media literacy framework which has now been adopted by the Australian Media Literacy Alliance
- Mentored 21 young News Champions from every state and territory in Australia for 12 months
- Developed exhibition materials and engaged with the media to advocate for young people’s involvement in debates and discussions about the future of news media
Our research was cited by the ACCC in their Digital Platform Inquiry final report in relation to two recommendations to government regarding media literacy. First, the ACCC recommended that the government review how media literacy is taught in schools as part of the National Curriculum Review. This has now resulted in changes to the National Curriculum which our team advised on. The second recommendation was that the government invest in media literacy initiatives across the country. Our research is now being used to inform a Federal Government national media literacy strategy and policy.
Our research on young Australians and news media was cited in a discussion paper commissioned by ACMA to inform their 2019-20 research program.
Our research has been used to inform numerous media literacy initiatives for young people including NewsHounds (for primary school children), ABC Education Media Literacy Resources (for high school students), the National Film and Sound Archives Media and Me program (for 9-14 year olds), the Museum of Australian Democracy’s media literacy resources (for 9-14 year olds) and the Media Literacy Lab (for high school students).
Research Team
- Professor Tanya Notley, Western Sydney University
- Dr Simon Chambers, Western Sydney University
- Professor Michael Dezuanni, Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology
- Dr Flora Hua Zhong, Western Sydney University
- Prof Sora Park, University of Canberra
- Dr Jee Young Lee, University of Canberra
Funding
Phase 1 of the project was funded by Crinkling News, Western Sydney University and Queensland University of Technology.
Phase 2 was funded by the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD), Google Australia, Western Sydney University and Queensland University of Technology with in-kind support from ABC Education.
Phase 3 of the research was funded by Meta Australia.
Phase 4 of the project was funded by ABC Education and Western Sydney University.