In today’s digital world, technology and media play a major role in our lives. People in Taiwan use the internet and social media every day to get news and information, but not everything we see online is trustworthy. False information spreads quickly, and many people may not know how to tell the difference between real and fake content. This can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. 

Media literacy is important because it helps us learn how to use media wisely, think critically about the information we see, and avoid believing false content too easily. It also teaches us how to protect our personal information and deal with issues like cyberbullying. As elementary school students, learning these skills can help us become responsible digital citizens and make the internet a better and safer place for everyone. 

The Ministry of Education stated in its White Paper on Media Literacy Education Policy (2002) that learning how to understand and use media wisely should be an important part of lifelong learning. The goal is to create a community where people can think carefully about the information they see (critical thinking) and share their ideas clearly (self-expression). With strong media skills, people can communicate better and use media to make society a better place.

Building on this idea, the 12-Year Basic Education Curriculum Guidelines, introduced in 2014 and updated in 2021, list media literacy as one of the nine key competencies students should acquire. However, the guidelines do not explain exactly when or how media literacy should be taught in elementary school. With AI tools and digital technology developing so quickly, it is more important than ever to teach students these skills early. But the big question is—how can we do it?