# Why media and information literacy belongs in every child’s learning journey

> Children need tools to question information safely as fake news grows.
- Title: Why media and information literacy belongs in every child’s…
- Summary: Children need tools to question information safely as fake news grows. Media and information literacy should be taught in schools to help children verify…
- Keywords: media and information literacy, children, learning, nigeria, young truth detectives, milid foundation, information verification, digital literacy, news, politics, media, information
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria — https://premiumtimesng.com/opinion/916360-why-media-and-information-literacy-belongs-in-every-childs-learning-journey-by-chiamaka-okafor-onumah.html
- Author: Chiamaka Okafor-Onumah
- Published: 2026-10-12T11:25:29+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: media and information literacy, children, learning, nigeria, young truth detectives, milid foundation, information verification, digital literacy, news, politics
## Children hear false messages
A child hears about no school tomorrow through a friend, WhatsApp, or video.
## Children lack information skills
Children are surrounded by information but rarely taught how to question it safely.
## Media and information literacy definition
Media and information literacy helps children ask where information came from, what evidence supports it, and why it was shared.
## MIL starts in childhood
Children need the confidence to explore alongside skills to pause and check information.
## Children encounter diverse information
Children get information through family conversations, school, radio, TV, books, phones, social media, and AI.
## Information brings both opportunities and risks
A child can discover new subjects or create original content, but also face false health advice or harmful messages.
## Young Truth Detectives initiative
Young Truth Detectives is a MILID Foundation workbook with six missions to build information skills.
## Practical skills for children
Children learn to distinguish between misinformation and disinformation through repeated practice.
## The stop before sharing habit
The most useful lesson is to stop before sharing information to verify it.
## Facilitator’s Guide for adults
Teachers, parents, and caregivers are central to the learning process with lesson plans and home activities.
## Age-sensitive learning approach
The program adapts to children’s ages and local contexts for better engagement.
## AI adds urgency to MIL
Artificial intelligence creates convincing but inaccurate content that children need to verify.
## MIL benefits communities
Communities depend on accurate information for health, education, safety, and public life decisions.
## MIL supports education goals
Media and information literacy belongs alongside reading, writing and foundational skills.
## Schools and families can act
Schools can make space for MIL activities, families can talk about message sources before sharing.
## Consistency is key for success
MIL should be a continuing practice with consistent habits across home, school, and community.
## Key takeaway

Media and information literacy should be taught in schools to help children verify information before sharing.