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Media literacy and critical thinking — education’s role
SUMMARY OF:
Conclusions — Developing media literacy and critical thinking through education and training
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THESE CONCLUSIONS?
- These conclusions draw attention to the many benefits and opportunities brought by the internet and social media, but also highlight the potential threats and dangers these can present.
- They stress the importance of education and training in helping young people to become media-literate and responsible citizens of the future, and in helping to prevent violent extremism and radicalisation.
KEY POINTS
- A key element of the education and training is to instil in young people fundamental values, such as those enshrined in the Treaty on European Union, while promoting their ability to think independently and critically.
- Educators and training staff should be supported so controversial issues can be openly discussed in the classroom and staff can keep up to date with knowledge and skills needed to access, interpret, produce and use media content in a responsible manner. Exchanges of good practices on media literacy and critical thinking should be further promoted within the context of the ET2020 strategic framework.
- In order to promote media literacy and critical thinking, EU funds and programmes, such as Erasmus+, the Connecting Europe Facility, the European Structural and Investment Funds, Horizon 2020, Creative Europe and Europe for Citizens, should be utilised by EU countries and the European Commission.
BACKGROUND
- Media literacy, which refers to the ability of people to access, understand, create and critically evaluate different types of media, is a key to active engagement in democratic life.
- Digital competence, which encompasses the confident, creative and critical use of information and communications technology, is a crucial component of media literacy. However, 40% of EU citizens have no digital skills.
For more information, see:
- ‘Media literacy’ on the European Commission's website.
MAIN DOCUMENT
Council conclusions of 30 May 2016 on developing media literacy and critical thinking through education and training (OJ C 212, 14.6.2016, pp. 5-8)
last update 12.01.2017