Media Literacy in the World Today

This activity can be utilized in partnership with the Bloomberg's The World Today exhibit.

In an ever-changing digital world, our screens have become windows—offering opportunities for self-expression and learning, while also exposing users to content designed to provoke strong emotions, drive engagement, and sometimes deepen social divisions or misconceptions of the world around us. According to the Global Digital Report, individuals ages 16–24, the group most actively shaping their identities and moral perspectives, spend an average of 3.5 hours per day on social media.

Research from the National Library of Medicine indicates that increased digital media consumption can negatively impact emotional well-being—particularly in adolescents and young adults. Among young people in particular, high exposure has been linked to anxiety, depression, and measurable stress responses. Psychologist Steven Stosny refers to this as “headline anxiety” and At this critical stage of development, it is essential to build foundations for emotional resilience and digital well-being. These practices support healthier engagement with online spaces and empower young people to help shape digital environments that promote inclusivity, reduce sensationalized language, and support positive identity formation.

The Media Literacy in The World Today Curbside Activity, developed in partnership with Bloomberg’s The World Today exhibit, is designed to build resilience in today’s digital landscape. By examining positive news headlines and analyzing the language used in digital media, learners critically explore how media tactics shape emotions and influence worldviews. Stosny encourages individuals to slow reactive thinking by handwriting distressing headlines and identifying the specific elements that trigger worry or fear. By rewriting headlines, students are asked to thoughtfully engage with the message of the headline and are given time to identify media tactics while practicing reframing. Writing by hand slows immediate reactions and creates space for more intentional reflection, as the act of longhand writing activates areas of the brain that support deeper processing of overwhelming emotions. This process helps restore a sense of agency, equipping learners to engage thoughtfully with digital content rather than feeling overwhelmed or powerless.

“Digital spaces can connect us, inform us, and offer spaces for self-expression. At the same time, the media we consume is often designed to shape how we think and respond to the world around us. Language, tone, images, and music all influence how we interpret the media we view online and can impact our mental health—especially when content feels overwhelming or anxiety-inducing. Today, we will explore the strategies news outlets and social media platforms use to influence how we think and feel.”

Not all online media experiences are negative. It is important to emphasize that healthy, inclusive digital spaces do exist, and that we share a collective responsibility to foster, protect, and contribute to those positive environments.

Many media tactics are designed to capture attention and keep us engaged. Regulating our engagement with constant news exposure is an ongoing, mindful practice. Digital spaces are not inherently harmful—they are shaped by the people who participate in them. Each of us has the power to help cultivate online environments that are inclusive and promote positivity, hope, and wellbeing.

Additional Suggestions for Media Self-Care

• Limit screen time: Turn off nonessential notifications and set boundaries around when and how long you engage.
• Reclaim your algorithm: Be intentional about who you follow. Unfollow, unsubscribe, and curate a feed that reflects your values.
• Create healthy online spaces: Share hopeful content, fact-check information, and foster supportive digital communities.
• Remember perspective: Frequent negative headlines do not always reflect the full realities of the world around us.
• Prioritize rest: Avoid late-night scrolling and protect your sleep.
• Lean on community: If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or community member. You are not alone.
• Pause and reflect: Ask yourself, what am I looking for right now? What do I hope to gain from continuing to scroll?