In the depths beneath an old Queenslander house on the south side of the Brisbane River, adjacent to a garage bearing a handwritten “Recording” sign, and above a computer in a cluttered spare room, a collection of Post-it notes is revealed.
One note simply states, “Sugar-crusted broccoli.”
The residence, bearing a resemblance to Bluey’s home, belongs to Bryce Corbett, who has established and co-hosts the children’s news podcast, ‘Squeeze Kids.’ The note on the wall outlines the core philosophy of the show.
Each episode of the podcast provides coverage of significant news stories, such as South Australia’s proposed social media ban for children, aiming to inform kids without causing fear. The show incorporates elements of fun science, pop culture, and animal stories, including tales of a crocodile visiting a school and the world’s funniest crab jokes.
Corbett maintains a professional and upbeat demeanor in his conversations until the topic shifts to the evolving media landscape that children are navigating at increasingly younger ages.
Expressing his concerns, Corbett states, “I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say we’re unconsciously moving into the future.”
“The rapid dissemination of misinformation and disinformation by innocent individuals globally poses the greatest threat to democracy,” warns Corbett, a veteran of journalism and media for over two decades.
The impact of media illiteracy extends beyond electoral decisions, leading to violent coups and a widespread erosion of trust in science, knowledge, and institutions.
Brazil experienced misinformation-driven turmoil and allegations. Amid this context, a media-literate society is crucial for active and informed citizenship.
About eight years ago, Corbett’s realization of the pervasiveness of misinformation struck him during a family meal as his children unknowingly reiterated dubious information sourced from social media. This awakening led him to recognize the urgency of filling the gap in his children’s education regarding media literacy.
Echoing his sentiment, Corbett emphasizes the necessity of media literacy within the educational framework as essential for navigating the modern media landscape.
Within the academic community, there is a shared acknowledgment of the imperative need to incorporate media literacy education as a fundamental pillar of learning, akin to mathematics education, to combat the propagation of misinformation.
In an effort to address the media literacy gap among children, a pilot program titled “New Shows” was launched by Squeeze Kids in November 2022. This initiative includes a free podcast and workbook-based module tailored for elementary school students, aiming to cultivate skills in identifying misinformation and fostering critical thinking.
As part of the broader effort to enhance media literacy, the Albanese government allocated $6 million in its budget to promote media literacy products delivered through the Alana and Madeleine Foundation.
Source: www.theguardian.com
