​The digital, media and information literacy empowered individuals, as it allowed the effective exercise of a wide range of human rights, including the rights to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While digital and online spaces formed an integral part of the lives of the majority of the global population, all should be mindful that a large proportion of the globe still lacked such access. Bridging this divide and finding ways to alleviate its consequences should be a priority for all States and other stakeholders.

In 2018 the EU established the European Media Literacy Week in order to raise awareness of the importance of media literacy across the EU and to highlight different existing initiatives, in particular those at regional and national levels.

Media literacy skills are included in the educational standards of every state—in language arts, social studies, health, science, and other subjects.  Many educators have discovered that media literacy is an effective and engaging way to apply critical thinking skills to a wide range of issues.