Media Literacy
The importance of media literacy cannot be overstated. In our fast-paced world, social media, computers, and phones keep us constantly connected to each other. That’s why it’s so important to help our children understand the different kinds of media they interact with each day, and how to do so safely.
The books below help readers develop their media literacy skills. They expose young readers to concepts, including:
Facts vs. opinions
Social media vs. news sources
How to ask questions about information coming from advertisements
Understanding the broader context in which advertising and political messages are presented.
I hope you enjoy the books I recommend, and that they’re useful. I only recommend books that I love and find helpful. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Picture Books - Ages 4+
Killer Underwear Invasion!: How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories - I took this book out of the library thinking that I’d read it with my 3rd grader, but my son (who is almost 5) wanted to read it with us. I was pleasantly surprised by how much information he absorbed and seemed to understand. With simple and funny illustrations, this book helps readers understand so many important concepts, including what news is, and how news sources can vary. It also presents examples of reliable vs. unreliable sources and explains the differences between facts and conspiracy theories. There’s so much information in this book, and all of it felt accessible and relatable. This book is somewhat long, so don’t be afraid to read 1 or 2 sections at a time over the course of a few days or a week. This may be especially helpful for younger readers.
The Phone Book: Stay Safe, Be Smart, and Make the World Better with the Powerful Device in Your Hand -With quizzes, choose-your-own adventure style activities, techy tidbits, and stories from real teens/preteens, this book is the ultimate resource. While I genuinely appreciate the sections about cyberbullying and tech addiction, I LOVE the way Jessica Speer teaches readers about media literacy. In a world full of screens that are constantly bombarding us what information, Speer gives readers a peek behind the curtain, helping us understand where this information comes from, why we’re receiving it, and how to contextualize it. This book is a must-read!
Can You Believe It? How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts - coming soon
