The fundamental purpose of education is surely to ensure all students benefit from learning in ways that allow them to participate fully in the economic and creative life in both the local and global community. Where does literacy fit in this definition? Everything depends on how you define "literacy". This article argues that all too often literacy is defined in terms of linguistic texts and the visual is marginalised or disparaged (Mills, 2010). It pushes the boundaries of a narrow conceptualisation of literacy that focuses on reading and writing, and suggests that moving-image literacy learning could be a powerful tool in building a multicultural society that does not perpetuate cultural difference and separateness. Screen literacy is proposed as a means for young people to become actively involved in participatory culture, and in assisting young people to participate in culture as global citizens. (Contains 1 note.)