Media and information literacy strategies: A joint reflection with teenagers in Brazilian public school

This article presents the findings from a Media and Information Literacy (MIL) project developed by journalism professors from University of Brasilia and conducted on elementary school students in Brazil. It examines teenagers' information practices and discusses the challenges of introducing MIL practices in the current state of information disorder. This study involves a survey and participant observation from a workshop conducted with these students in October 2021. The major strategies used to promote MIL practices and critical thinking among the students were: a) encouraging them to reflect on their own information practices; b) drawing on their experiences to help them reflect on the quality of the information; and c) de-normalizing disinformation and the problems it causes by stressing the consequences they have on society. This study emphasizes the importance of more organic MIL actions that could help avoid any prejudiced or condescending interpretations of teenagers’ information practices.