I think it's worth pointing out "no longer" is not a fair assessment since this is regularly an issue with older Americans.

I'm inclined to believe it was never taught in schools, and is probably more likely to be a subject teachers are increasingly likely to want to teach (i.e. if politics didn't enter the classroom it would already be being taugh, and might be in some districts).

The older generations were given catered news their entire lives, only in the last few decades have they had to face a ton of potentially insidious information. The younger generations have had to grow up with it.

A good example is that old people regularly click malicious advertising, fall for scams, etc, they're generally not good at applying critical thinking to a computer, where as younger people (typically though I hear this is regressing some with smartphones) know about this stuff and are used to validating their information (or at least have a better "feel" for what's fishy).

Just be aware that we can ALL be manipulated, the only difference is the method. Right now, most manipulation is on a large scale. This means they focus on what works best for the masses. Unfortunately, modern advances in AI mean that automating custom manipulation is getting a lot easier. That brings us back into the firing line.

I'm personally an Aspie with a scientific background. This makes me fairly immune to a lot of manipulation tactics in widespread use. My mind doesn't react how they expect, and so it doesn't achieve the intended result. I do know however, that my own pressure points are likely particularly vulnerable. I've not had the practice resisting having them pressed.

A solid grounding gives you a good reference, but no more. As individuals, it is down to us to use that reference to resist undue manipulation.

imagine if they taught critical media literacy in schools. of course that would only be critical media literacy with an american propaganda backdoor but still

Texas basically banned critical thinking skills in the school system