Perceived media influence on youth bullying and substance abuse behaviors

Abstract

Social influences and ‘new media’ may contribute to students participating in risky health be-haviors. An evidence-based, digital media literacy curriculum was delivered by members of a communitysubstance abuse prevention coalition to upper elementary-aged students in a local afterschool program.Written pre-post assessments of perceived media influence on their health risk behaviors were completedby participants. Mean pre-test scores for ‘Influence of the Internet’ were significantly (p<.01) higher thanpost-test scores. Results reflect participants reporting the internet had less influence on their health choicespost-program than pre-program. Media literacy interventions can be effective when used in the afterschoolsetting.