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With the rise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Deepfakes, Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is more crucial than ever. Studies have shown how technological advancements contributed largely to digital misinformation and disinformation campaigns.
While efforts have been on the rise by fact-checking and media organisations like DUBAWA to push media literacy campaigns, some users dismiss media information as insignificant, which shows their lack of or low level of MIL.
People show their ignorance or lack of depth in MIL through various activities in the digital space, as highlighted below:
Over-dependence on a sole information source
Some people are overly reliant on information obtained from one source without adequately fact-checking or verifying the authenticity of the information sent to them. This has contributed significantly to the rise of misinformation.
Sometimes, even information from credible media outlets should be subject to scrutiny.
Opening random links sent to their DMs
Some social media users are prone to opening links sent to their Direct Messages (DMs) by familiar or unknown persons. This group may become victims of phishing as they do not question the source of the links.
Resharing visuals tagged within a certain context
Recently, certain videos and images have been tagged with certain narratives, and people ignorantly share these visuals with the same narrative tagged therein. DUBAWA has fact-checked a couple of these videos and pictures.
For instance, an X user claimed acts of cannibalism were rampant in the southeastern part of the country, supporting his claim with a video. Upon fact-checking the claim, DUBAWA discovered the video was from a movie production.
Also, fact-checking efforts showed that bizarre animal visuals, such as a fish with a tiger head, were AI-generated.
Taking opinions as statements of facts
A lot of times, social media users are unable to distinguish between opinion and facts, which makes them ignorantly reshare opinions as statements of facts. Also, some social media users cannot identify biases in posts and news reports.
Low or minimal media and information literacy can significantly impact an individual’s online presence and affect various aspects of life.
Below are some of the dangers posed by a lack of or poor level of MIL.
Vulnerable to misinformation: Individuals with limited media literacy are susceptible to misinformation. Individuals who cannot critically assess the credibility of sources are more likely to believe and share false information. This perpetuates misinformation and can lead to reputational damage, as incorrect claims can harm personal and professional credibility.
Privacy risks: Individuals with limited media literacy may not understand the importance of privacy settings on social media platforms or how to protect personal information online. They are likely to share sensitive data and are more vulnerable to identity theft, cyberbullying, and other online threats.
Escalation of cyberbullying and harassment
Individuals who are not armed with media and information literacy skills may not recognize harmful behaviours online or know how to protect themselves from cyberbullying. These people can become easy targets of harassment without understanding how to report or respond effectively. On the other hand, they might contribute to cyberbullying due to a lack of awareness regarding the impact of their actions.
Conclusion
Lack of media literacy can be dangerous to the individual concerned and the society at large. This is why media literacy organisations globally engage in campaigns to drive education and awareness around media literacy. It is vital for individuals to actively hone their media literacy skills for a safer and more informed online community.
