Young people's media literacy formation at the intersection of family, education and peers

Abstract

We present an overview of media literacy definitions and related concepts and strive to consolidate them to create a comprehensive media literacy definition. Selected insights are then offered into the formation of media literacy, which we acquired as part of qualitative research into young people's media repertoires. First, we summarise a brief history of literacy and its social function, allowing us to understand the phenomenon and role of new literacies. We next outline existing definitions of media literacy, which we critically position in the context of their origin. We continue by briefly presenting educational policies and media literacy and conclude with insights into the contexts of youth media literacy, focusing on their media experiences and incentives within families, education, and among peers.