The critical effect: Exploring the influence of critical media literacy pedagogy on college students' social media behaviors and attitudes

Abstract

This self-exploratory pilot qualitative study examines the impact of critical social media pedagogy on students' behavior and attitudes toward social media. This study employs a critical lens of course content and self-reported student data from 18 participants who completed a Northern California university course titled "Social Media, Social Change" in the fall of 2019. The changes in participants' social media behaviors and attitudes were measured via a pre-and post-survey designed by the researcher. Exposure to critical pedagogy was associated with changing views of social media, especially heightened privacy concerns. The study reveals areas of further research and recommendations for educators to effectively teach critical media literacy.