Spotlight on Digital Media And Learning

10.17.06 | According to a 2005 study, more than half of all American teens—and 57 percent of teens who use the internet—could be considered media creators. So why do they need adult help? Many youth actually do know more about new media than their parents and teachers: they don’t need someone looking over their shoulders but they may need someone watching their backs.

Here’s why

1) There are fundamental inequalities in access to these new media technologies and the opportunities for participation they represent. What about the 43 percent of American youth online who are not producing or distributing their own media content?

2) Youth are often not reflecting on those media they use everyday. Every media structures the information it presents us in distinctive ways and if we do not understand how these media works, we can’t think critically about their role in our lives.

3) Youth face vexing ethical challenges as media makers and participants in online communities. Historically, we trained high school journalists for their future roles as media producers. Today, significantly more youth are expressing their own perspectives through blogs, podcasts, and online journals but are receiving no advice about the choices they are making and their potential consequences.