Empowering young voices : critical media literacy in an AI-driven world

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of combining critical media and ecomedia literacy to help young learners become critically aware digital citizens and agents of social and environmental change. It presents a classroom-based project with fifth-grade students and teenage co-researchers in a Romanian public school, using a three-stage approach and collaborative multimodal tasks that incorporated ethical generative AI use. The paper reviews key phases of critical media literacy—deconstructive and critical, constructive media production—highlighting their role in developing students’ ecological identity and media skills. Findings show increased critical thinking, eco-consciousness, creativity, and empowerment through challenging media messages and creating counter-narratives. The study also discusses theoretical and practical implications, emphasising the value of embedding critical media literacy in English Language Teaching (ELT) to foster inclusive learning and support students in becoming socially and environmentally engaged individuals.