Improving wellbeing-focused online media literacy in schools

This project will explore the effectiveness of wellbeing-focused online media literacy interventions in English secondary schools.

Why this project is important

Exposure to harmful content online, such as pornography, trolling, and pro-eating disorder messaging, can have a detrimental impact on young people’s wellbeing. Education on online harms is now a compulsory part of the National Curriculum in England. However, it is difficult for teachers to gain an overview of what’s available, select the most appropriate evidence-based interventions to use, and adapt these to their classroom contexts. This is compounded by an absence of specialist training; teachers consistently report low levels of confidence in delivering online media literacy education.

What it will involve

The project will be completed in three stages:

1. A systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research to identify effective interventions and their components. This will include international interventions where the findings are likely to be transferable to the UK context.
2. Thirty interviews with Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) teachers to understand their decision-making and identify any barriers to implementation. The teachers will also be asked to critically appraise examples from their own teaching practice as well as best practice examples identified through the systematic review.
3. Working with RSHE teachers and curriculum resources developers to produce practical ‘what works’ guidance for teachers. Internet Matters, a charity focused on helping children stay safe online, will also work with teachers to produce three sample lesson plans aligned to National Curriculum requirements.

How it will make a difference

Along with the practical guidance and curriculum resources, the researchers will present recommendations for future research, practice, and policy on wellbeing-focused online media literacy education. An online teacher training session based on their findings will be recorded and made freely available online. Project partner, The PSHE Association, will also disseminate the project outputs to their membership of 60,000 teachers. The overall aim of the project is to improve the quality of online media literacy education in secondary schools and young people’s wellbeing.