5 Top Tips For Media Literacy

Our Screen Time programme is 1 year old this month! In just 12 months we have delivered Screen Time to over 7.500 children, young people and parents and supported schools in educating pupils about media literacy.

The programme was originally commissioned by Ofcom and they continue to fund the programme in Birmingham schools. Last summer we produced an evaluation report for Screen Time.

This blog pulls out five practical tips schools could take from the Screen Time evaluation report, that shows what worked and ideas on how schools could apply this themselves.

1. Use storytelling and drama to explore complex online issues One of the strongest findings from the Screen Time programme was the impact of theatre and storytelling in helping pupils understand media literacy topics. Teachers reported that pupils connected with the characters and situations in the drama and remembered key moments weeks later.

Schools can book theatre in education programmes like Loudmouth’s Screen Time or could replicate this approach by using short role-plays, scenarios or storytelling activities when teaching topics such as online behaviour, misinformation or social media pressure. When pupils see situations acted out rather than only discussed, it can make the learning more relatable and memorable.

2. Teach simple questions that help pupils evaluate online content A key strategy taught in the programme was encouraging pupils to ask “What? Who? Why?” when encountering online information. This simple framework helped pupils begin questioning the reliability of content and thinking about why something might have been posted.

Schools can incorporate similar approaches into lessons by encouraging pupils to pause and consider:

• What is this content saying?
• Who created it?
• Why might they have shared it?

These simple prompts can help develop early media literacy and critical thinking skills.

3. Connect discussions about online behaviour with real-life examples The evaluation showed that pupils strongly remembered a scene about a girl experiencing sexist comments while livestreaming a game. This example helped pupils reflect on respect, equality and kindness online.

Schools could use similar realistic scenarios in lessons or discussions, exploring:

• how online comments affect others
• how gender stereotypes appear online
• how to respond respectfully in digital spaces.

Using concrete examples can help pupils recognise behaviours they may encounter in their own online lives.

4. Link media literacy with wellbeing and emotional awareness The programme encouraged pupils to think about how online content can influence emotions such as jealousy, anxiety or pressure from social media. Some pupils reported feeling less upset or jealous after recognising that not all online content is real.

Schools can build this into PSHE or RSHE lessons by encouraging pupils to reflect on:

• how online content makes them feel
• how to balance screen time with other activities
• strategies for managing difficult emotions linked to social media.

This helps pupils see digital literacy not only as a safety issue but also as part of mental wellbeing.

5. Create opportunities for discussion rather than just delivering information Teachers and pupils highlighted the value of the programme’s interactive discussions and small-group activities, which allowed pupils to ask questions and explore ideas together. Schools could build similar approaches into lessons by:

• using discussion questions or group tasks
• inviting pupils to debate online scenarios
• allowing time for reflection after teaching key concepts.

This kind of participatory learning can help pupils process ideas more deeply and build confidence talking about their experiences online.

These tips show that engaging methods, relatable scenarios and opportunities for discussion can help schools address media literacy effectively with upper primary pupils, particularly at the point when many begin using smartphones and social media more independently.

To find out more about approaches to media literacy or to book Screen Time call 0121 446 4880 or email enquiry@loudmouth.co.uk