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
In Phase 3 we implemented an updated version of our News and Young Australians in 2023 survey in 2023.
In second stage of our research (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 the first stage of our research (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.
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. Further, most young Australians are not confident they know how to spot misinformation – yet they are not receiving news media literacy training at school.
The next Young People and News survey is scheduled for 2026.
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, the project:
- Surveyed a nationally representative sample of young Australians aged 8-16 years to understand their news engagement practices and experiences ion 2017, 2020 and 2023
- 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
- Survey 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 (opens in new window) 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 changed to the National Curriculum. Second, that the government invest in media literacy initiatives across the country. Our research is being used to inform a Federal Government media literacy policy and program.
Our research on young Australians and news media was cited in a discussion paper (opens in new window) commissioned by ACMA to inform their 2019-20 research program.
Our research informed updates to the Australian Curriculum about how media literacy can be taught in school.
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
- Associate Professor Tanya Notley, Western Sydney University
- Professor Michael Dezuanni, Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology
- Dr Simon Chambers, Western Sydney University
- Dr Flora Hua Zhong, Western Sydney University
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 has been funded by Meta Australia.
See research outputs/publications.
Contact
