Journal of Media Literacy Education Pre-Prints
Document Type
Research Article
Abstract
This study reports the findings from a pilot RCT, which determined the effect of 4 lessons of a media literacy intervention on children’s wellbeing. Data was collected from children aged 8-11 in 7 primary schools in Ireland (nPaired data=324). On average teachers in the treatment group delivered 150 minutes of a newly launched media literacy intervention. By means of a pen and paper based questionnaire, changes in children’s wellbeing were recorded. The impact of covariates of gender and screen consumption on children’s wellbeing was also explored. Findings indicate scope to improve children’s wellbeing. The study determines that 4 media literacy lessons, delivered as a component of the wellbeing curriculum, had a statistically significant positive effect on children’s wellbeing. Girls are reporting higher levels of wellbeing and screen consumption was found to be negatively correlated with wellbeing. Experimental studies on the impact of media literacy lessons on children’s wellbeing are sparse. The findings demonstrate the positive contribution media literacy lessons can make to primary curriculum, and add to the body of research that advocates for compulsory media literacy teachings in primary curriculum.
Recommended Citation
O'Rourke, V., & Miller, S. (2021). Improving Children’s Wellbeing through Media Literacy Education: an Irish Study. Journal of Media Literacy Education Pre-Prints. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/jmle-preprints/26
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Included in
Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Health and Physical Education Commons
Comments
Acknowledgments: A special thanks is extended to Letterkenny Institute of Technology for their support of this research.