A recent study discovered that eight out of ten U.S. teenagers are regularly exposed to conspiracy theories on social media, with around 81% of them believing in at least one of these theories. The study was conducted by the News Literacy Project and was published in October. In today’s digital age, where misinformation and AI-generated content are on the rise, and there is a growing skepticism towards traditional media sources, it is crucial to equip young people with the necessary skills to critically evaluate the information they encounter. The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization, is dedicated to achieving this goal. One of the many ways they are working towards this mission is by organizing National News Literacy Week.
This year, the News Literacy Project has teamed up with USA TODAY to help students navigate the complexities of social media and the online world. Christina Veiga, a senior spokesperson for the News Literacy Project, emphasized the importance of teaching students how to discern credible information in the vast sea of digital content. She highlighted the potential dangers of blindly following information on social media, as it can lead individuals down misleading paths. The ultimate aim is for students to develop the ability to distinguish reliable journalism from unreliable sources and to seek out trustworthy information.
National News Literacy Week is a vital public awareness campaign aimed at enhancing students’ capacity to critically evaluate the reliability and credibility of news sources. Organized by the News Literacy Project, this five-day event features a series of virtual workshops and panels designed to assist educators in teaching news literacy skills effectively. The upcoming event in 2025 will cover a broad range of topics, from recognizing media bias to understanding the responsibilities of journalism in holding institutions accountable.
The 2025 National News Literacy Week is scheduled to take place from Monday, February 3 to Friday, February 7, 2025. The workshops and panels will be conducted virtually, allowing educators from across the nation to participate and enhance their understanding of news literacy.
News literacy refers to the ability to assess the credibility of news and other information sources. The News Literacy Project emphasizes the importance of this skill in recognizing high-quality, fact-based journalism. It is deemed as a crucial skill for the 21st century, integral to any media literacy, digital literacy, or civics program.
In contrast to previous years that focused on educating the general public, the 2025 National News Literacy Week places a spotlight on educating educators. The emphasis on equipping teachers with news literacy skills stems from the recognition that promoting these skills in the classroom is essential for enabling youth to navigate the vast amount of information available on social media and the internet.
The News Literacy Project’s October study revealed that students with news literacy skills are more likely to engage in civic-minded activities, challenge misinformation online, correctly identify AI-generated images of real people, cultivate active news consumption habits, and exhibit greater trust in news media.
