THURS-094 - Empowering Adolescents Through Media Literacy: The Case for Centering Media Literacy in Adolescent Health Curriculum
Thursday, April 23, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST
Location: Plaza Foyer, Plaza Level
Area of Responsibility: Area III: Implementation Keywords: Child and Adolescent Health@@@Health Promotion@@@Health Literacy@@@Sexual Health, Subcompetencies: 3.2 Deliver health education and promotion interventions., 3.2.5 Employ an appropriate variety of instructional methodologies. Employ an appropriate variety of instructional methodologies. Research or Practice: Practice
Upper School Health Teacher Teacher Seattle, Washington, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Describe the importance of including media literacy in school health education curriculum.
Implement strategies to successfully facilitate lessons on media literacy to adolescent students in a classroom setting.
Identify health mis- and disinformation online.
Brief Abstract Summary: This presentation presents an evidence-based approach to integrating media literacy into adolescent health education as a strategy to promote health equity. This presentation makes the case for incorporating media literacy skills in all Health units in order for students to be able to critically evaluate digital health content and combat misinformation. Attendees will walk about with strategies to implement media literacy lessons into their health curricula and address the broader challenges of today's health information ecosystem.
Detailed abstract description: In the digital age, adolescents are inundated with health information, particularly through social media. A lot of these messages are misleading or harmful. Teens often lack the skills to evaluate the credibility of these messages, which can lead to potentially risky decision-making regarding one’s health and safety. In a country where only 22 states require medically accurate comprehensive sex and HIV education be taught in schools only 22 states require medically accurate comprehensive sex and HIV education be taught in schools, it’s no wonder that teens are seeking vital health information online. However, teens need to be learning the skills required to navigate an ever-changing digital landscape and critically evaluate the media messaging they are exposed to. This presentation responds to this urgent issue by making the argument for embedding media literacy within health curricula to foster informed decision-making among teens.
