Tracing the History of New Media in Media and Information Literacy
New media refers to digital forms of communication made possible by the internet, such as social media, blogs, podcasts, and online news. Its evolution has greatly influenced how people access, evaluate, and share information—key skills in Media and Information Literacy (MIL). As new media grew, so did the need to develop MIL to help users become critical and responsible digital citizens. In the early beginning of New Media the concept of "new media" started with early computers and digital technologies. The internet was developed through projects like ARPANET, which laid the foundation for online communication. In 1990s the World Wide Web was created in 1991, making information widely accessible. Email, chat rooms, and early websites became new tools for learning and connecting. In 2004 platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter emerged, shifting how people consume and share media. Digital content became interactive and user-generated. In 2010 smartphones and ...