School Censorship Appropriateness

Abstract

Although concern about censorship and appropriateness may be considered by some to be a relatively recent phenomenon, societal conflicts around these topics have existed since ancient times. Today expanded access to information, on‐ and offline, court rulings, and student activism are prompting school communities to reconsider norms around censorship and appropriateness. As schools move from offering a content‐heavy pedagogy to more process‐centered learning characteristic of media literacy education, they can help students prepare to live in and be contributors in their spheres of influence. Also, as media literacy experts collaborate with other experts and with all members of the school community—including youths and parents—they can help build media literacy awareness in schools, while also fostering a more expansive media literacy culture around schools. A stronger media literacy culture in general could help people navigate the tensions around school censorship and appropriateness more effectively.