The effectiveness of an online, family-based media literacy education program for substance abuse prevention in elementary school children: Study of the Media Detective Family program

Scull, T.M., Kupersmidt, J.B., & Weatherholt, T.N. (2017). The effectiveness of an online, family-based media literacy education program for substance abuse prevention in elementary school children: Study of the Media Detective Family program. Journal of Community Psychology, 46(6), 796–809. PMCID: PMC5628508

Abstract

Objectives: The present study investigates the effectiveness of a family-based, online media literacy education (MLE) program for substance abuse prevention in children from rural areas. 

Method: A total of 83 families were randomly assigned to receive Media Detective Family (MDF; n = 47) or a control computer program (n = 36) between pre- and posttest questionnaires. A total of 51% (N = 42) completed a 3-month follow-up questionnaire.

Results: Children receiving MDF reported a significant reduction in their use of substances over time compared to children in the control group (d = −.80). Parents receiving MDF reported that the program was convenient and engaging.

Conclusion: The current study showed that an online substance use prevention program using MLE and designed for families is an effective intervention method for reducing children’s substance use.