Media Use by Chinese and U.S. Secondary Students: Implications for Media Literacy Education

Abstract

This article examines how children currently use media, the influence of media in their lives, and implications for media literacy education. Trends in the use of media (TV, radio, computer, videogames, Internet) by Chinese and American secondary students are presented, drawn from major national studies on American and Chinese children's media use. It shows what and how students use new media at home and in schools, and demonstrates the important role of modern technology in children's lives. We underscore the importance of media literacy education. Even though media literacy education is not systematically taught as part of the formal school curriculum, it can be integrated into school curriculum with specific strategies by educators, parents, and adolescents.