<2> Can Media Literacy Games Travel Across Cultures?
<3> The Challenge of Cultural Adaptation
<4> In today’s digital age, misinformation has become a global problem. The spread of false information can have serious consequences, from spreading panic and confusion to influencing elections and public policy. To combat this issue, media literacy games have emerged as a promising solution. These interactive tools aim to educate people on how to critically evaluate information and identify misinformation.
<5> However, most media literacy games are designed with Western audiences in mind. They often rely on cultural references and assumptions that may not be relevant or relatable to people from other cultures. This raises an important question: can media literacy games travel across cultures?
<6> A recent study published in the Journal of Educational Computing Research sought to answer this question. The study involved adapting a popular media literacy game, “Media Literacy 101,” for use in a non-Western context. The game was originally designed for American high school students and was translated into Spanish and Arabic for use in Mexico and the Middle East, respectively.
<7> The study found that the adapted game was successful in improving media literacy skills among students in both Mexico and the Middle East. However, the results also highlighted some interesting cultural