Media Literacy for Children: A Systematic Review

Sakhaei, Sahand; Arsalani, Aida; Nosraty, Niloufar

doi:10.22059/jcss.2023.101606

Media Literacy for Children: A Systematic Review

Document Type : Original article

Authors

¹ Payam-e Noor University, Bostan Abad, Iran

² Department of management, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran

³ Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

10.22059/jcss.2023.101606

Abstract

Media literacy is a crucial skill for children to live in a media-saturated world. This systematic review explores the impact of media literacy on children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development while addressing challenges and opportunities in implementing effective media literacy education. The search process entailed extensive exploration of key academic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Scopus. Terms like "media literacy", "children", "digital literacy", "critical thinking", "media education", and "cognitive development" were utilized in combination with Boolean operators (AND, OR) and truncation methods to expand or narrow the scope of the search. Additionally, the reference lists of identified studies were examined to uncover further pertinent publications that might have been overlooked during the initial database queries. Findings highlight that media literacy fosters critical thinking, creativity, and emotional resilience, enabling children to critically analyze media messages, resist manipulation, and engage responsibly with digital platforms. However, socioeconomic disparities, lack of standardized curricula, and insufficient teacher training pose significant barriers to widespread adoption. The rapid evolution of digital technologies further complicates efforts to maintain relevant educational strategies. This review emphasizes the importance of policy interventions, including national curricula, teacher training programs, and public-private collaborations to bridge gaps in media literacy education. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and innovative teaching methods that integrate emerging technologies.

Keywords

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