Survey: Teens Want More Media Literacy Education. Few States Offer It.

Thought Question:  What are some challenges you and other students face when trying to find reliable information online?

A survey of over 1,000 students aged 13-18 in the US showed that 94% believed schools should be required to teach news literacy. But only 39% had received such lessons in the past school year. That's despite students facing a constant stream of information.     

The data comes from a 2024 survey run by The News Literacy Project’s (NLP). NLP is a nonprofit group focused on teaching news literacy skills. It's also nonpartisan. It defines news literacy as a skill that teaches students "how to determine the credibility of news and other information." It also highlights the role credible information and a free press play in a healthy democracy.   

The NLP breaks down the skills into five standards: 

 •  An ability to distinguish between news and ads.

 •  An understanding of the role of the First Amendment and a free press in US democracy.

 •  An understanding of the importance of ethical standards for journalists.

 •  An ability to think critically about news sources and to spot misinformation.

 •  A willingness to seek and share credible information. 

The NLP’s survey revealed some gaps in skills for students. Only 18% of students could tell the difference between an ad, an opinion piece, or a news report. The survey also showed students a list of conspiracy theories that have been proven false. That list included a range of things like "aliens among us" or "the world is flat." As many as 81% of teens said they believed at least one of them.    

Only nine states require any of the news literacy standards in classrooms. That's according to the NLP. Giving more students access is vital, NLP says. That's because it gives students the skills to tell fact from fiction.