YouTube has teamed up with Poynter to enhance digital media literacy skills through a new partnership. This collaboration will offer access to training materials and informational resources aimed at raising awareness about the risks and dangers of online content.
The recently launched “Hit Pause Media Literacy Curriculum” is a comprehensive course on media literacy consisting of 11 lessons, each lasting around 30-45 minutes. It provides detailed documentation to ensure participants grasp the key concepts of each session.
The curriculum, as explained by Poynter, aims to equip teens with the necessary skills to discern fact from fiction and responsibly share information online. It breaks down complex media literacy topics into manageable lessons, making it suitable for all internet users.
Furthermore, the curriculum includes a section dedicated to AI content and teaches participants how to fact-check questionable AI creations.
The curriculum was developed by a team of experts in media literacy from organizations such as MediaSmarts (Canada), Mythos Labs (USA/India), and Parent Zone (U.K.), making it adaptable to different cultural settings.
This initiative builds on YouTube’s “Hit Pause” program, which was first introduced in 2023 to educate teens about online risks and misinformation. The program’s valuable insights are beneficial for all internet users in today’s digital age.
By focusing on media literacy education, educators gain access to valuable resources to combat misinformation, disinformation, and fake news. Such learning is essential in a world where misleading reports can influence public perception.
Education systems, like that of Finland, have already incorporated misinformation detection into their core syllabus, leading to increased global resilience against fake news.
Access the full “Hit Pause Media Literacy Curriculum” here.