Experts urge UK government to make children's media literacy a national priority

Four actions requested from ministers

The letter is addressed to the Prime Minister, the Education Secretary and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It asks them to take four actions.

• Put media literacy at the heart of online safety plans. The signatories say media literacy helps protect children wherever they spend time online. They also say it can reduce the risk that children who get around restrictions are less likely to ask for help if they experience harm.
• Establish media and digital literacy as a fundamental life skill throughout education. A new national framework should show how all subjects and wider learning opportunities work together to build the skills needed in a digital world. These include critical thinking about information, understanding algorithms and AI, and recognising manipulation.
• Ensure schools are fully supported. The letter says this will require investment in teacher training, access to high-quality resources and guidance, and practical support for families.
• Strengthen leadership and co-ordinated action across government. The Culture Secretary should lead work across the Department for Education, Ofcom and other relevant bodies, backed by clear responsibilities and sustained investment.

Why the groups say a ban is not enough

Rachel Huggins, CEO of Internet Matters, said a social media ban "may change where children spend their time online, but it will not remove all the risks they face or prepare them for digital life when they reach adulthood."

She pointed to two developments that, in her view, raise the stakes: AI is transforming how young people find information, and the voting age is set to be lowered to 16. According to Huggins, every child should learn how to assess what they see, make informed choices and seek help when something goes wrong.

Huggins also said parents and carers tell Internet Matters they need more support to build healthy digital habits at home. She called for curriculum reform to make media literacy "a consistent entitlement for every child", backed by government leadership, school support and guidance for families.

A chance for a reset, says Molly Rose Foundation

Rowan Ferguson, Senior Policy and Research Manager at the Molly Rose Foundation, described the moment as a "unique opportunity for an ambitious reset of media literacy" under the new Government. He said getting it right could help protect young people from online harm and also serve priorities including economic growth, democracy and national security.

Ferguson called plans to revise the curriculum "a welcome start" but said the Government should go further. In his words, media literacy should be enshrined as a fundamental life skill across all levels of education, with busy staff given the support they need to deliver it.

What it means for schools and families

The letter does not set out costs or timelines. Its central demand is that media literacy be treated as a core part of the forthcoming curriculum rather than an add-on to online safety rules. For schools, the signatories link success to teacher training, quality resources and guidance. For families, they call for practical support so that skills learned in the classroom are reinforced at home. The full letter is available for download from the Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy website.