How Youth Engage Digitally (W10)

I thought the article "Can Media Literacy Education Increase Digital Engagement in Politics?" by Kahne and Bowyer was a good read, especially in light of everything we've been learning in class. One of the biggest takeaways for me is how far digital media literacy has evolved. It’s no longer just about identifying fake news or understanding how algorithms work. Now, media literacy also includes equipping young people to navigate online platforms as creators, collaborators, and responsible consumers.

The authors focus on two forms of online political engagement: Online Participatory Politics (OPP) and Targeted Political Pressure (TPP). OPP refers to actions like creating and sharing political content, posting opinions on social media, or joining online conversations around public issues. TPP goes a step further. It's when youth directly try to influence institutions online, such as signing petitions, tweeting at corporations, or messaging government officials. Both forms of engagement build on skills that are increasingly essential in our networked world.

One thing that surprised me was the study’s use of survey data collected between 2011 and 2015. That period was a turning point for social media. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were all gaining momentum. The study relied on self-reported survey responses, and in my opinion, it’s a stretch to claim that the findings demonstrate behavior change (such as increased online political engagement), especially since there was no experimental manipulation involved. That said, while the digital landscape has changed significantly since then, the study still offers valuable insight into how exposure to digital literacy practices might shape civic participation.

I'm curious, if you read the article, what did you take away from the article? Did you have a similar take to me, or something different?

In a world of TikTok activism, AI content, and platform fatigue, I’m left wondering this: how do we design media literacy education now to stay relevant to the digital habits of youth right now?

 

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