Special Issue "Enhancing Media Literacy: Participatory Research Approaches to Young People's Engagement Online"

Dear Colleagues,

The recent EU Youth Report (2019–2021) confirms that young people continue to increasingly engage in democratic processes. The current trend shows a preference for digital public spaces of participation where they move easily between different platforms and groups to interact with peers (Hornmoen et al. 2022). This online activity may be supplemented by participation in more physical spaces based on interest and flexibility, such as “Fridays for Future” or protest demonstrations.

Online platforms are rife with conflict and confrontation as people exchange ideas and values around contested topics. Instead of shying away from such dynamics, many would agree these are needed to enhance media literacy. Inclusion in meaningful online discussion supports diverse perceptions and experiences in increasingly multicultural societies.

Through participatory research (see Vaughn and Jacquez 2020) that includes young people both as producers of content and as collaborative researchers, media literacy may be better comprehended and strengthened. Media literacy is largely concerned with access to information and freedom of expression, as well as an understanding of the functions of media and digital communications companies to critically evaluate their content (Grizzle et al. 2021, pp. 8). There is no doubt that young people already have tacit knowledge and skills that they draw on when entering digital communication spaces. Developing those competencies for both producing and understanding online texts may allow for sustained engagement around key socio-political themes.

This Special Issue welcomes both empirical and theoretical submissions that explore innovative participatory ways to understand and engage with young people around these core themes.

References

European Union. EU youth report (2019–2021). Available online: https://youth.europa.eu/news/read-report-eu-youth-strategy-2019-2021-here_en (accessed on 15 September 2023).

Hornmoen, Harald, Yngve Benestad Hågvar, Nathalie Hyde-Clarke, Birgitte Kjos Fonn, and Dagny Stuedahl. 2022. Media narratives, agonistic deliberation, and Skam: An analysis of how young people communicate in digital spaces. Nordicom Review 43: 1–18. https://doi.org/10.2478/nor-2022-0001.

Grizzle, Alton, Carolyn Wilson, Ramon Tuazon, C.K. Cheung, Jesus Lau, Rachel Fischer, Dorothy Gordon, Kwame Akyempong, Jagtar Singh, Paul R. Carr et al. 2021. Media and Information Literate Citizens: think critically, click wisely! Media and information literacy curriculum for educators and learners. UNESCO. Paris: France. Available online: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377068 (accessed on 15 September 2023).

Vaughn, Lisa M., and Farrah Jacquez. 2020. Participatory Research Methods – Choice Points in the Research Process. Journal of Participatory Research Methods 1: 1–13. https://doi.org/10.35844/001c.13244.

Prof. Dr. Harald Hornmoen
Prof. Dr. Nathalie Hyde-Clarke
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• media literacy
• political engagement
• online discussion
• participatory research
• young people