Call Us: (919) 493-7700|info@irtinc.us
FacebookXLinkedInYouTube

Media Literacy Education News Post

Helping Schools Meet HB 959: Media Literacy Programs for Elementary Through High School

2026-03-12T21:32:35+00:00

March 12, 2026, Durham, NC – As social media and digital platforms become a central part of young people’s lives, educators are tasked with helping students navigate online environments safely and responsibly. In response, North Carolina passed House Bill 959 (HB 959), which requires schools to provide instruction on social media literacy and responsible technology use. Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, public schools must provide instruction on social media literacy at multiple grade levels, once in elementary school, once in middle school, and twice in high school. The law outlines several topics that instruction should address, including but not [...]

Helping Schools Meet HB 959: Media Literacy Programs for Elementary Through High School2026-03-12T21:32:35+00:00

Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Strengthen Youth Prevention Programs

2026-03-12T21:31:30+00:00

March 12, 2026, Durham, NC – States, counties, and community organizations across the United States are receiving opioid settlement funds intended to address the long-term impacts of the opioid crisis. While many communities are investing these resources in treatment and recovery services, prevention remains a critical part of reducing future substance misuse. For organizations responsible for allocating opioid settlement funding, prevention programs that build knowledge, skills, and protective factors among youth can play an important role in addressing substance misuse before it begins. Evidence-based prevention programs implemented in schools, afterschool programs, and community organizations can help communities make strategic use [...]

Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Strengthen Youth Prevention Programs2026-03-12T21:31:30+00:00

College Students Find New Sexual Health Education Program Relevant and Engaging

2025-03-28T16:38:26+00:00

March 28, 2025, Durham, NC – In a recent study, nearly 40% of community college students reported that they had not received school-based sex education since the ninth grade.1 Gaps in high-school sex education may put students at risk for negative sexual health outcomes as they enter adulthood. Colleges have the opportunity to fill these gaps and address students’ needs by providing high-quality sexual health resources to their students. Media Aware is an online, evidence-based program that was designed to meet the need for sex education for young adults and to promote sexual and relationship health and prevent sexual violence. Media [...]

College Students Find New Sexual Health Education Program Relevant and Engaging2025-03-28T16:38:26+00:00

Journal of Health Communication Publishes the Impacts of Media Aware on Young Adults’ Sexual Health Cognitions

2025-01-16T16:08:22+00:00

January 16, 2025, Durham, NC – The Journal of Health Communication recently published an article detailing findings from an evaluation of iRT’s media literacy education-based sexual health promotion program called Media Aware. The article, entitled “A Media Literacy Education Approach to Sexual Health Promotion: Immediate Effects of Media Aware on the Sexual Health Cognitions of Young Adult Community College Students,” was authored by iRT Researchers Dr. Tracy Scull, Dr. Christina Dodson, Dr. Janis Kupersmidt, Dr. Reina Evans-Paulson, Dr. Katie Stump, and Liz Reeder. Media Aware is an interactive, web-based program that provides young adults with comprehensive, medically-accurate information about sex and [...]

Journal of Health Communication Publishes the Impacts of Media Aware on Young Adults’ Sexual Health Cognitions2025-01-16T16:08:22+00:00

New Chapter in Handbook of Children and Screens Discusses How Gender and Sexuality Are Represented in Media for Young People

2024-12-18T18:00:14+00:00

December 18, 2024, Durham, NC – iRT Research Scientist Dr. Tracy Scull co-authored a chapter in the recently released Handbook of Children and Screens entitled “Representations of Gender and Sexuality in Youth Media.” Dr. Scull co-authored the chapter with colleagues from research institutions from across the world, including Drs. Jennifer Stevens Aubrey, Megan K. Maas, Sophia Choukas-Bradley, Meenakshi Gigi Durham, Johanna M. F. van Oosten, and L. Monique Ward. About the Chapter Children start developing strong concepts of gender identity and gender roles early in life, and they often explore ideas related to sexuality and sexual roles during adolescence. During these developmental stages, young people usually look to many sources [...]

New Chapter in Handbook of Children and Screens Discusses How Gender and Sexuality Are Represented in Media for Young People2024-12-18T18:00:14+00:00

The American Journal of Sexuality Education Publishes iRT’s Research on Sex Education Programs for College Students

2024-11-25T14:59:53+00:00

November 25, 2024, Durham, NC – The American Journal of Sexuality Education recently published an article detailing findings from iRT’s research on comprehensive sex education programs for college students. The article, entitled “Acceptability and Fidelity of a Media Literacy Education-Based, Comprehensive Sexual Health Program for College Students: A Multi-Method Student-Centered Evaluation,” was authored by current and former iRT Researchers Dr. Reina Evans-Paulson, Kylia Ahuna, Dr. Tracy Scull, Dr. Christina Dodson, and Dr. Janis Kupersmidt. College students are at high risk for engaging in risky sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex and poor communication with partners. Providing high-quality comprehensive sex education is [...]

The American Journal of Sexuality Education Publishes iRT’s Research on Sex Education Programs for College Students2024-11-25T14:59:53+00:00

iRT Researcher Offers Workshops to Empower Parents to Practice Media Literacy Strategies with Their Children

2024-10-07T15:46:38+00:00

October 07, 2024, Durham, NC – Research has shown that tweens and teens make healthier decisions when their parents have high-quality conversations with them about sex, puberty, relationships, sexual violence, gender stereotypes, and substance use. However, parents sometimes avoid having conversations with their children about these topics because they find it overwhelming or uncomfortable. In addition, parents may not know how to begin these conversations or what they should be talking with their child about. Many parents feel concerned about how consistent media exposure in the digital age may be impacting their children, including how it may be impacting their thoughts [...]

iRT Researcher Offers Workshops to Empower Parents to Practice Media Literacy Strategies with Their Children2024-10-07T15:46:38+00:00

iRT’s research on media literacy and adolescent sexual health is highlighted in a chapter in the forthcoming book, Teens, Sex, and Media Effects

2024-09-27T19:57:51+00:00

September 27, 2024, Durham, NC – iRT’s researchers have a wealth of expertise in media literacy education and sexual health research. Teens, Sex, and Media Effects: Understanding Media’s Influence on Adolescent Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Advocacy, the soon-to-be-released book compiling original research related to adolescent sexual health and sexual media, will showcase some of iRT’s work. Drs. Christina Dodson and Tracy Scull authored a chapter for the book highlighting over a decade of iRT’s research on sexual health and media literacy education in a chapter entitled “Media Literacy Education for Comprehensive Sexual Health Promotion.” Chapters of Teens, Sex, and Media Effects [...]

iRT’s research on media literacy and adolescent sexual health is highlighted in a chapter in the forthcoming book, Teens, Sex, and Media Effects2024-09-27T19:57:51+00:00

Recent Research on the Sexual Health Outcomes of Community College Students with Respect to Gender and Sexual Identity

2024-08-07T22:06:18+00:00

August 07, 2024, Durham, NC – The Journal of American College Health recently published important findings from iRT’s sexual health research with community college students. The article, entitled “An examination of the sexual health behaviors and cognitions of young U.S. community college students with respect to the intersection of gender and sexual identity,” was authored by iRT Research Scientists Drs. Reina Evans-Paulson, Tracy Scull, Katie Stump, and Christina Dodson, as well as former iRT researcher Megan Armstrong. College students are at risk for negative sexual health outcomes, including high risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy. While a wealth of research explores [...]

Recent Research on the Sexual Health Outcomes of Community College Students with Respect to Gender and Sexual Identity2024-08-07T22:06:18+00:00

Recent Research Findings on the Previous Sex Education Experiences of Community College Students

2024-02-21T14:38:12+00:00

February 21, 2024, Durham, NC – Though community college students make up nearly half of all U.S. undergraduate students, they are often overlooked by sexual and relationship health research. The limited amount of research on this population may make it difficult for community colleges to make evidence-based decisions about the types of resources and support they should provide to their students to promote their sexual health. Without accessible resources to learn about and manage their health, community college students may be at risk for unhealthy sexual and relationship behaviors. To address these gaps in research, iRT has been conducting the Community [...]

Recent Research Findings on the Previous Sex Education Experiences of Community College Students2024-02-21T14:38:12+00:00
Go to Top