Our teens are often talking with each other and with us about a Tik Tok, Reel, or YouTube Short that has piqued their interest because it’s interesting, controversial, or simply entertaining. Are they asking themselves questions about the media they are consuming and sharing? The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) suggests we model asking these questions:
- Why was this made?
- Who made it?
- What is missing?
- How might different people interpret it?
- What techniques are used and why?
- Who might benefit from this message?
- Who might be harmed by this message?
Finally, we should be asking our kids and ourselves whether the media is aligned with our own values.