Abstract:
This article reflects on my professional practice in producing and hosting the
podcast series Kids Talk Media (https://kidstalkmedia.net/). The podcast explores
children’s understanding of the influence of media on their lives using a unique
interpersonal approach. During each podcast, two best friends discuss these issues
with an adult host, myself. The host guides the discussion, but the topics, insights,
concerns, and transgressions shared are driven by the children. More than 20
episodes have been produced with the release of new episodes ongoing. A few
of the children interviewed convey a clear understanding of digital media and
media and information literacy (MIL), and their comments demonstrate that they
bring a critical lens to their consumption of media, including social media, video
games, and even personal digital assistants such as Alexa. Other interviewees
consume media without understanding, adult guidance, and concern for privacy
or mental health. This article introduces readers to specific episodes and uses
the children’s utterances to demonstrate how MIL is helping them navigate their
digital world, or how its omission is enabling them to blindly engage with media
that affects their self-image, friendships, education, and future. This chapter will
help teachers, practitioners, and other individuals developing MIL interventions
for children to thoughtfully consider the extent of children’s understanding of
MIL and how to best empower their positive use of media.