FREE DRINK FRIDAY IN CAFETERIA!
Fall for it?
Silly as they may seem, sensational headlines like this have the potential to fool audiences and spread falsities. In order to combat the influence of misinformation on social media, it is imperative that students are taught media literacy, the ability to evaluate content based on its accuracy and credibility.
Critical and analytical thinking, which are already woven into our academic work, form the foundation of media literacy. While Glenbrook North provides a basis in media literacy through humanities coursework, we feel that more formal instruction addressing social media and information we encounter on the internet is necessary to ensure that every student graduates able to thoughtfully consume content online. A concrete understanding of media literacy is a crucial component of an education that is supposed to prepare us for life in the digital age.
Because social media feeds us ideas at an unprecedented rate, it has become especially difficult to discern facts from misinformation. This leaves users vulnerable to posts designed to trick or mislead them. The rise of content generated by artificial intelligence further obstructs the truth. AI can be used to convincingly portray any social or political idea, no matter how incorrect or obscene. If we interact with misleading media, algorithms will continue to feed us similar content, even if the information it provides is blatantly false. Unless they are taught media literacy, students risk falling victim to misinformation, which can perpetuate harmful ideas and detrimentally shape their worldview.
Though it is vital that our media literacy education at GBN expands to include social media, students can still take steps to safely navigate the digital world in the meantime. When engaging with news online, take a moment to evaluate the source and the author’s credentials. Question the creator’s qualifications, research them if necessary and cross-reference the information with another credible source, preferably one outside of social media. Even when scrolling purely for pleasure, any content designed to promote a particular perspective must be evaluated mindfully. While coffee reviews or shopping hauls may not require thorough verification, interacting with media intended to inform should prompt us to pause and consider its purpose.
Social media has the power to shape who we are. When we consume misinformation without a second thought, we are accepting a distorted version of reality. Failing to question information we encounter online may be comforting, as doing so reaffirms our trust in sources that are familiar to us. But building a worldview based on falsehoods can have serious consequences. Without pausing to examine the truth, going to the cafeteria on Friday expecting a free drink would certainly be disappointing. Though just a trivial example, Free Drink Friday teaches us a powerful lesson about the importance of media literacy. Online, there is far more than a cafeteria drink at stake.