Noting that children today are growing up in a "media saturated" world in which mass media, including the Internet, have a commanding presence in daily life, this Digest argues that it is imperative for educators to teach what M. Megee (1997) calls "the new basic"--media literacy--so that learners can be producers of effective media messages as well as critical consumers of ideas and information. It discusses what media literacy is, understanding media messages, identifying stereotypes and biases, reading beyond realism, and understanding audiences. It concludes with possible learning activities and Web site addresses of three media literacy organizations. (RS)