Making Sense of Media event July 2019
17 Medi 2019
Our Making Sense of Media event brought together experts and practitioners to discuss and debate the latest insights and challenges in online media literacy. We also showcased our latest Making Sense of Media research, including key findings relating to online harms and media literacy.
The event had two sessions, a morning plenary session at which Sharon White (Chief Executive, Ofcom), Yih-Choung Teh (Group Director for Strategy and Research, Ofcom), and a number of other speakers including Professor Sonia Livingstone OBE (LSE), Rachel Coldicutt (Chief Executive, Doteveryone) and Stephanie Comey (Senior Manager, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) discussed their own views about online media literacy.
The afternoon sessions gave attendees the opportunity to address a range of issues and share ideas.
Session 1: Online harms and bullying explored concerns around online bullying, considering what the research says and what initiatives exist to help those affected or reduce online bullying.
Session 2: People and data considered the key dimensions of people’s understanding of data.
Session 3: Critical understanding including news literacy discussed the core measures of critical understanding, with a particular focus on disinformation.
Session 4: Digital Divides and vulnerable groups examined the latest developments in online take-up, highlighting the growth in smartphones and tablets being the only means of getting online, and discussed the implications of this.
What attendees said about our event
"The breakout session was the most effective part of the day as it involved more interactive engagement and utilised expertise of the very diverse participants."
"Really good format and structure, with allowance for discussion."
"Very interesting and insightful. A welcome opportunity to meet others with an interest in children and media."
How you can get involved
We will be holding further events but in the meantime, please do join our new Making Sense of Media Network. We have launched this Network to bring together organisations and individuals with relevant expertise to work towards a shared goal of improving the online skills, knowledge and understanding of UK adults and children.
Sharon White, Ofcom Chief Executive, opens our summer #MakingSenseOfMedia event at @britishlibrary pic.twitter.com/lIvXCVwH3n
— Ofcom (@Ofcom) July 18, 2019
Yih-Choung Teh, our Strategy and Research Group Director, has just announced a new #MakingSenseOfMedia Advisory Panel – made up of 11 industry, third sector and academic experts to debate and inform the direction of our #MediaLiteracy work. pic.twitter.com/hnGwCvjlVo
— Ofcom (@Ofcom) July 18, 2019