I think my biggest conclusion throughout this Psychology of Media class was that everyone needs to know about media literacy. It is a great concept that still has some traction to gain within mainstream society. I was struck by the video presentation in class today; specifically by the fact that most adults (even college students) don't necessarily know what media literacy means. It is not about learning how to use media devices, rather, it is about learning how to navigate the ever-expanding world of media. It is about acquiring the skills necessary to consume media with skepticism and some underlying understanding that ultimately, media is trying to sell itself to the consumer.
It was easy in class for us to be in our bubble of understanding the concept of media literacy. I think the most important thing to do at this point with what we know is to share this information with others. We need to spread the word to others: media literacy is important!
Not only is it important, but we need to start teaching it as soon as children begin to consume media. As children are introduced into the world of media, parents need to take on the responsibility of educating their children about the content that they view. What do media images teach young children? The media teaches all people, regardless of age, about what is normal and what is ideal. It tells us what kind of lifestyle to want, what kind of friends to make, and what kind of romance is desirable. If these messages are not mitigated through media literacy taught by parents or teachers, our children will continue to grow up with a skewed perspective of reality. If we want our children to have realistic hopes and dreams, we need to be able to educate them about what in the media is real and what is pure fantasy. Without making this important distinction, children (and even adults) may find themselves in a constant state of disillusionment as media tells them to expect one thing and they are handed something completely different. The more we can educate about media literacy, the better! It is essential to a clearer understanding of the world and society that we live in.
