APPG on Media Literacy Report 2021/2022
Research into the current media literacy landscape in England
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Media Literacy is a cross-party forum for parliamentarians to discuss how to equip young people and wider society with the critical thinking skills needed today. The APPG works with industry, regulators, and businesses to put forward positive proposals for change.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Media Literacy, a cross-party group of MPs and Peers, is calling for social media companies to fund off-platform initiatives delivered by grassroots organisations.
In the annual report, the group outlined their recommendations and findings ahead of the ratification of the Online Safety Bill.
Key findings:
10% of schools do not teach their pupils media literacy at all
Less than 50% of teachers think their students are media literate
7% of teachers say that media literacy is taught within the Citizenship curriculum
The poorest children have the lowest level of media literacy
90% of teachers want the national curriculum to specifically include media literacy
| Key recommendations: | |
|---|---|
| 1. Mandatory educational levy on social media companies | 2. Media Literacy Education Bill |
| 3. Government calculate the economic impact of information chaos | 4. Upskill teachers in low-income areas |
| 5. Establish media literacy expert role | 6. Ofsted update their approach to extend safeguarding duties |
Chair of the APPG, Damian Collins said: “It is crucial that we educate children, young people and wider society so we all can identify sites to trust, appraise the content of what we read, and make informed choices about news we share with others. Teachers and schools must be given more support to effectively embed media literacy across the curriculum.”
Vice-Chair, The Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE said: “Education is vital in the fight against online misinformation. The truth is that we are facing a battle against the barrage of social media distortions which attract massive youth attention.
“Media literacy is vital for a well-functioning democracy as it ensures citizens have the abilities to access and critically evaluate messages they receive while navigating the digital world.”