An update to this research was released in January 2013 including new data but further confirming the findings.
New research from Professor Sonia Livingstone on media literacy efforts in the United Kingdom shows that despite early improvements, digital media skills in the UK have hit a plateau. This disturbing trend comes to light at a time when the government has cut programmes to promote digital media literacy.
With an unprecedented media revolution occurring online and ever more public services being moved to digital platforms, citizens and consumers are being left to rely on their own skills, leaving many vulnerable and lacking the tools to participate fully.
The findings show that people’s ability to critically understand and participate online has ceased to improve and that the elderly and people from lower socio-economic groups are particularly at risk.
Digital media literacy must not fall off the radar screens of government and industry. The media and online world is getting more and more complicated and demanding to navigate, so this is not the time for harsh cuts. In this time of financial constraint more targeted efforts are needed, and a moderate investment can make major gains if done effectively.
The brief also points out that recent setbacks in media literacy promotion in the UK contrast with increased efforts by the EU and by other European countries and suggest that Britain risks being left behind.
View the full brief and a video introduction after the jump…
