Media literacy is an important skill to hone when engaging with media, and it entails critically analyzing and understanding communication channels, such as print, television, film, internet content, and social media. Apart from critical thinking and analyzing, some key elements that go into media literacy are the abilities to recognize biases within messages, evaluate credibility of sources, and grasping the massive influence of media.

Media literacy is important because it allows media consumers to use media as a tool productively rather than destructively

Media literacy can be dismissed because it is an active and continual effort to maintain a healthy PLN with credible and fruitful media content, it doesn’t happen passively.

Open dialogues about media literacy and how factual information can create conflict. Why does this happen?

Factual information can create conflict for many reasons. One of which is the notion that different people come from different backgrounds with unique political and ideological underpinnings, ultimately trying to push their own ‘truth’. What is deemed factual for one person, may not be factual for someone else.

What is the benefit of having a PLN that values media literacy?

The benefit of having a PLN that values media literacy is that the network you surround yourself with is strong and reliable, as each notion rests upon a series of credible truths. Without media literacy incorporated into your PLN, your network becomes a straw house that is weak and easily collapsible.