By Suzanne Ender
Media Literacy Week: October 26–30
Ghouls, goblins and Halloween festivities may be drawing crowds in local neighborhoods, but another important event also takes place in late October: Media Literacy Week.
What is Media Literacy Week?
Media Literacy Week encourages citizens and media consumers to access, evaluate, analyze, create and take action on important issues related to media literacy (NAMLE).
Why does it matter for me?
Media Literacy Week empowers you to be a critical consumer and evaluator of digital and media literacy.
How can I participate?
We’ve gathered some resources and opportunities that take place during Media Literacy Week. This list isn’t exhaustive; it offers a range of activities depending on your needs, interests, and priorities.
Individuals: Gain access and skills
- Learn at your own pace with free courses from DigitalLearn or GCFLearnFree.
- Take a free LinkedIn Learning course with your library card to build digital media skills.
- Volunteer as a technology helper for older community members.
Families: Stay safe and protected
- Hold a family “tech talk” night to discuss screen-time rules, privacy settings, and how to spot fake news.
- Use Common Sense Media’s family resources as conversation starters on screen time, privacy and AI.
- Explore Google’s free Be Internet Awesome and Applied Digital Skills lessons on online safety and technology skills.
Educators: Preschool and elementary
- AME Picture Book Project: Created by AME board members Deborah Fournier and Shawn Sheller and supports critical media awareness.
- Project Look Sharp: Offers curriculum and materials to support critical media literacy and development.
Educators: All grade levels
- Schools and community groups can register for individual events, stream youth-produced media, or participate in digital citizenship campaigns through the U.S. Media Literacy Week Toolkit.
- Connect your class to UNESCO’s Global MIL Week, which is running global events during Media Literacy Week.
- UW CIP MisinfoDay resources: Educators can access ready-made classroom lesson plans and digital literacy exercises designed to teach source evaluation, deepfake recognition, and algorithmic awareness.
- Download Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Week’s activity calendars (usable any time of year).