Abstract
This report examines adult media literacy abilities, needs and experiences in Australia.
Between January and April 2024 the authors surveyed a representative sample of 3,852 adult Australians, alongside additional booster samples for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians and First Nations Australians. This survey repeated questions asked in an inaugural 2021 Adult Media Literacy survey to produce longitudinal data, while also introducing new questions that respond to pressing issues and new digital media developments.
Key findings
The survey findings show that most adult Australians use different types of digital media on a regular basis, but their overall confidence in their digital media abilities is quite low, with very little change since 2021.
There is overwhelming demand among Australians for adult and school-based media literacy education. However, too many Australians have not received any form of media literacy education or they don’t have access to support when they need it.
The results clearly show that media literacy provides a range of benefits. Adults who are more confident about their media abilities are more engaged with a range of media activities, are more likely to know how to proactively respond to online harms, are more confident they can identify misinformation online and are more aware of new technologies that may affect their lives, such as generative AI.
However, the survey findings presented in this report demonstrate there is an urgent need for more media literacy educational resources and support to address the media interests, needs, deficiencies and concerns of adult Australians.
This study also reveals that Australians want action—from governments, media companies and education providers—on issues that concern them such as online misinformation, the exploitation of their private data, racist or racially insensitive broadcast content, and risks to society that are associated with generative AI.
Between January and April 2024 the authors surveyed a representative sample of 3,852 adult Australians, alongside additional booster samples for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians and First Nations Australians. This survey repeated questions asked in an inaugural 2021 Adult Media Literacy survey to produce longitudinal data, while also introducing new questions that respond to pressing issues and new digital media developments.
Key findings
The survey findings show that most adult Australians use different types of digital media on a regular basis, but their overall confidence in their digital media abilities is quite low, with very little change since 2021.
There is overwhelming demand among Australians for adult and school-based media literacy education. However, too many Australians have not received any form of media literacy education or they don’t have access to support when they need it.
The results clearly show that media literacy provides a range of benefits. Adults who are more confident about their media abilities are more engaged with a range of media activities, are more likely to know how to proactively respond to online harms, are more confident they can identify misinformation online and are more aware of new technologies that may affect their lives, such as generative AI.
However, the survey findings presented in this report demonstrate there is an urgent need for more media literacy educational resources and support to address the media interests, needs, deficiencies and concerns of adult Australians.
This study also reveals that Australians want action—from governments, media companies and education providers—on issues that concern them such as online misinformation, the exploitation of their private data, racist or racially insensitive broadcast content, and risks to society that are associated with generative AI.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Western Sydney Univerity |
| Commissioning body | Meta |
| Number of pages | 126 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781741085662 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2024 |