Fostering Media Literacy: A Systematic Evidence Review of Intervention Effectiveness for Diverse Target Groups

Abstract

Investigating the effectiveness of media literacy interventions is essential to identify the most promising programs. This 2022 systematic evidence review, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline, aimed to collect and synthesize scientific evidence on effective media literacy intervention programs across different target groups and the used frameworks. A comprehensive search across major scientific databases (Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, Communication & Mass Media Complete, and Education Resources Information Centre) and rigorous screening and coding processes identified 119 studies on media literacy intervention effectiveness and outcomes. This review offers valuable insights into the current state of media literacy intervention research, emphasizing the importance of considering diverse target groups and exploring a wide range of outcomes to enhance our understanding of these interventions' impact.