Interactive Technology for Media Literacy Drug Prevention in Community Groups
Interactive Technology for Media Literacy Drug Prevention in Community Groups
This Phase II STTR will evaluate an interactive, self-paced, e-learning media literacy intervention, REAL media, to prevent youth substance use among youth in the 4-H organization. Participating 4-H clubs will be randomly assigned to use the curriculum or continue current practices with the option for delivery at the end of the study. 4-H members (ages 13-15) will complete a pretest, immediate posttest and follow-up posttests at 3 and 9 months to assess effects.
REAL media is an interactive, self-paced, e-learning media literacy curriculum that prevents adolescent substance use among 13-15-year-old teens. The program consists of 5 levels. Levels 1 to 4 are 15-25 minutes; level 5 allots time for message production done offline. Activities lead students to engage in critique and analysis of arguments present/absent from pro-ATOD and other popular product messages and to begin the process of refuting and counter-arguing these messages. These skills are reinforced in level 5 using an active involvement strategy in which youth plan and produce anti-ATOD messages. Users first plan their message via an online worksheet, which requires engagement with and application of media literacy concepts rather than focus exclusively on technology and/or production features. Next, participants design their posters/videos and upload their messages to a social media site as part of a contest, where they recruit peers and family to like or comment on their message.
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Exclusion Criteria: