In the 21st century, media literacy is an imperative for participatory democracy because new information/communication technologies and a market-based media culture have significantly reshaped the world. The better prepared students are to critically question the information and media they are seeing, hearing, and using, the more likely they are to make informed decisions and to participate as citizens who can shape democracy for the public good. This National Council for the Social Studies position statement focuses on the critical role of media literacy in the social studies curriculum. The statement addresses the following questions: (1) Why and how has media literacy taken on a significantly more important role in preparing citizens for democratic life?; (2) How is media literacy defined, and what are some of its essential concepts?; and (3) What is required to teach media literacy and what are some examples of classroom activities? (Contains 4 notes.)