Purpose: The purpose of the current research is to develop a 
causal model of media literacy based on metacognitive skills, 
self-regulation learning strategies and self-efficacy with the 
mediation of critical thinking in students.
Materials and methods: For this purpose, in a research 
project, 318 students of Tehran-North branch of Azad 
University were selected as subjects by available sampling 
method. Data were collected using questionnaires of media 
literacy, metacognitive skills of Wells, self-regulation learning 
strategies of Pintrich and de Groot, Schwartz's self-efficacy 
and Rajaei's critical thinking. The collected information was 
analyzed by structural equation modeling method and AMOSgraphic software.
Findings: The results showed that the fit of the proposed 
conceptual model was confirmed. Also, the results of the 
research showed that metacognitive skills with the mediation 
of critical thinking do not affect students' media literacy. 
Another result obtained in this research is that self-regulated 
learning strategies with the mediation of critical thinking have 
an effect on students' media literacy. Another part of the 
research findings shows the confirmation of this hypothesis 
that self-efficacy has an effect on students' media literacy 
through the mediation of critical thinking.
Conclusion: The findings of this research can be used by 
universities, educational centers, radio and television 
organizations, cultural centers and other related professionals 
and play a role in the development and improvement of media 
literacy.