Media Literacy Education News Post

iRT to Advance Media Ready Parent with Support from New NIH Grant

Elizabeth Porter2026-09-09T18:28:25+00:00

September 09, 2026, Durham, NC – Adolescents encounter messages about alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and other substances across social media, entertainment, advertising, and other parts of their everyday media environment. These messages can shape what young people perceive as normal, healthy, popular, or safe, often at the same time they are beginning to make more independent decisions about their lives. Parents have an important opportunity to help their children navigate and understand the messages in the media environment. Conversations at home can encourage young people to question the messages they see, consider potential risks, and make healthier and safer decisions. However, knowing [...]

iRT to Advance Media Ready Parent with Support from New NIH GrantElizabeth Porter2026-09-09T18:28:25+00:00

iRT Releases Fourth Edition of Media Ready to Address Today’s Evolving Media and Substance Use Landscape

Elizabeth Porter2026-07-16T18:30:53+00:00

July 14, 2026, Durham, NC – Today's middle school students are exposed to more substance-related media messages than ever before, and Media Ready has been helping them navigate those influences for two decades. Now, iRT is excited to announce the release of the fourth edition of Media Ready, our evidence-based substance misuse prevention program designed to help students think critically about media messages and make healthier decisions. Today’s middle school students are navigating a media landscape that looks dramatically different than it did just a few years ago. From influencer marketing and viral trends to emerging nicotine products, targeted digital advertising, [...]

iRT Releases Fourth Edition of Media Ready to Address Today’s Evolving Media and Substance Use LandscapeElizabeth Porter2026-07-16T18:30:53+00:00

iRT Publishes Long-Term Effects of Media Aware on Young Adult Sexual Health Beliefs

Elizabeth Porter2026-06-11T20:31:41+00:00

June 11, 2026, Durham, NC – iRT is pleased to announce that researchers Dr. Tracy Scull, Dr. Christina Dodson, Dr. Janis Kupersmidt, Dr. Reina Evans-Paulson, Dr. Katie Stump, and Liz Reeder have published a new study in Prevention Science, the flagship journal of the Society for Prevention Research. The article, Long-Term Efficacy of a Web-Based Sexual Health Promotion Program Using a Media Literacy Education Approach in a National Sample of Community College Students, examines the effectiveness of iRT's evidence-based sexual health education program, Media Aware, among community college students across the United States. Meeting the Sexual Health Needs of Community College [...]

iRT Publishes Long-Term Effects of Media Aware on Young Adult Sexual Health BeliefsElizabeth Porter2026-06-11T20:31:41+00:00

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

Elizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:32:35+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 SchoolElizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:32:35+00:00

Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Strengthen Youth Prevention Programs

Elizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:31:30+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 ProgramsElizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:31:30+00:00

College Students Find New Sexual Health Education Program Relevant and Engaging

Elizabeth Porter2025-03-28T16:38:26+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 EngagingElizabeth Porter2025-03-28T16:38:26+00:00

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

Elizabeth Porter2025-01-16T16:08:22+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 CognitionsElizabeth Porter2025-01-16T16:08:22+00:00

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

Elizabeth Porter2024-12-18T18:00:14+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 PeopleElizabeth Porter2024-12-18T18:00:14+00:00

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

Elizabeth Porter2024-11-25T14:59:53+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 StudentsElizabeth Porter2024-11-25T14:59:53+00:00

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

Elizabeth Porter2024-10-07T15:46:38+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 ChildrenElizabeth Porter2024-10-07T15:46:38+00:00