Tracing the History of New Media in Media and Information Literacy

Introduction New media history is marked by the evolution of communication technologies, particularly those reliant on digital computers, with its roots in early computing and telegraphy and accelerating rapidly with the rise of the internet in the 1990s leading to a landscape of interactive and user-generated content. New media is critically important in media and information literacy (MIL) as it requires individuals to develop advanced critical thinking skills to navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape, discern misinformation, understand diverse in-formation sources, and participate ethically and effectively in online environments. MIL, which integrates both information and media literacy, empowers individuals to become informed citizens and responsible "prosumers" in a world saturated with new media forms and technologies. Timeline of New Media The early beginnings of new media are rooted in technological advancements, particularly the development of mainfram...