Google Search, The LEGO Group, Pinterest and Roblox have voluntarily signed up to adopt Ofcom’s ‘Media Literacy by Design’ guidelines, developed in collaboration with expert representatives from industry, civil society and the academic community. 

The four services have pledged to adopt three common principles, including making media literacy a priority on their platforms, developing user-centric design and ways to put user needs at the centre of the design process, and the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of media literacy activities by users.

By signing up to adopt the principles, Ofcom said that these services were committing to improving and adapting their approach to align more closely with best practice.

As part of the pledge, the four services have submitted examples of how they are already implementing media literacy by design on their services, and areas they would like to focus on in the future.

Google highlighted its investments in media and information literacy, including in off-platform training with Super Searchers, an literacy programme to equip teaching staff and students with new skills, and the ‘Be Internet Awesome’ initiative, a gamified education platform teaching children the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety.

The LEGO Group made note of its Digital Empowerment portfolio, consisting of tools and resources to help children and families to learn good digital habits together, while Roblox has created a ‘civility team’ to lead on the media literacy strategy, which has included partnering with the Digital Wellness Lab to explore how online spaces could be more safe and civil in the next 5-10 years. 

For its part, Ofcom defines media literacy as “the ability to use, understand and create media and communications across multiple formats and services”. As part of its statutory duties under the Communications Act 2003, the regulator has to promote media literacy, as well as carry out research into extending media literacy in the UK. 

What has Ofcom done so far?

Earlier this year, Ofcom set out its provisional three-year strategy to promote and improve media literacy, formed by five key pillars, namely research of the current media literacy environment, engagement with platforms and users, the initiation of pilot trials and campaigns, the establishment of best practice principles, and evaluation based on results.

Within this strategy, the regulator has established an advisory panel consisting of members from Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and the BBC among others to ensure that working practices for developing media literacy can be implemented across diverse online platforms.

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In announcing the publication of industry feedback on the plan, the regulator said: “While Ofcom has an important role to play, media literacy must be the responsibility of everyone – online platforms in particular, but also parents, educators, third-sector organisations, providers of health and social care, professionals working with children, and others. 

“To realise the full potential of media literacy in the UK, contributions and collaboration from all corners is essential.”