Young People’s Media Literacy

Baroness Bousted Excerpts

Thursday 22nd May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

When I received the briefing for this, my first question was about parents—and, if I can express an interest, grandparents too. That is a very serious point, because so many young children are now looked after by their grandparents and older relatives. It is absolutely imperative that we address the issues, as the noble Baroness suggests. A report mentioned the number of children going to school who have never held a book, for example, and how we deal with that. On another point, in my experience a lot of schools are setting up parental groups to help schools navigate this difficult area. There is a strong recognition that, without parents’ engagement, helping to recognise the dangers and opportunities, we will not get as far as we need to.

[Baroness Bousted (Lab)]

Will the Minister agree that a renewed focus on media literacy, which is absolutely necessary, will require significant support for the profession? The number of media studies teachers has been decimated, and it has been written out of the curriculum—yet this is an essential skill for young people in today’s world. If they had better knowledge of media literacy, Andrew Tate would have less influence.