New media literacy resources for all secondary schools

Secondary schools across Australia will be able to access free online media literacy resources to equip high school students with critical skills to interpret what they read and view online, as a result of $6 million from the Albanese Government.

The eSmart Media Literacy Lab, developed by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, is the first eLearning tool made available to support student be critical, responsible and active online citizens.

The Lab seeks to create a generation of media users who will understand how information is published online, how to identify trusted sources of information, while providing tools to ‘fact check’ and tips for developing critical thinking when consuming information.

The Lab resources will be made available from 1 July 2023.

The Government’s commitment responds to a recommendation of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Digital Platforms Inquiry which recommended measures to improve digital media literacy to help Australians identify and appropriately scrutinise low quality or unreliable news encountered through digital platforms.

Other eLearning tools to be funded for delivery in schools in 2024 include:

• The eSmart Digital Licence+, for students aged 10 to 14 to learn how to meet the demands and challenges of the digital world; and
• A new eSmart Junior Digital Licence+ for primary students aged 5 to 9 years. This will support the increasing number of young children who are active online, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Rowland will visit Footscray High School today to see first-hand the Media Literacy Lab in use and to encourage educators across Australia to contact the Alannah & Madeline Foundation about using the eSmart Media Literacy Lab in their school.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

"Improving the digital and media literacy skills of our youngest citizens is key to keeping Australians safe.

"As a result of the Albanese Government’s $6 million funding commitment, every primary and secondary school in Australia will have the opportunity to engage with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s digital and media literacy resources.

"These tools will give Australian children the skills they need to become critical thinkers and stay safe from harmful online content like mis- and disinformation. 

“I encourage school leaders and educators to contact the Alannah & Madeline Foundation to ask about the Media Literacy Lab and the other eLearning tools the Government will fund for implementation in 2024.”