Interactive technology for media literacy drug prevention in community groups - The goals of this Phase II STTR are to evaluate the outcomes of REAL media, an interactive, self-
paced, e-learning substance use prevention media literacy curriculum and prepare it for
marketing to community organizations, including our partner, 4-H. Substance use increases in
frequency and risk through mid-adolescence, yet prevention interventions primarily target early
use, are time intensive, and are implemented in a limited number of settings such as schools.
Moreover, they often fail to address the media-saturated lives of youth despite research
demonstrating the deleterious effects of advertising and entertainment media. This provides a
market niche for the proposed project that addresses this curriculum gap through the innovative
use of both technology and prevention science. Guided by the new Theory of Active
Involvement, REAL media develops critical perspective taking about substance use decisions
and confers resistance to pro-drug (e.g., alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, marijuana, smokeless
tobacco) messages through youth analysis of pro-drug media messages combined with
interactive media manipulation and active involvement of youth participants in creating their
own anti-ATOD prevention messages. These youth-created messages are then entered into an
online contest via a social media proliferation strategy (i.e., youth recruit others to view their
messages on social media (e.g., Facebook, YouTube) to win the contest) in which messages are
diffused to the wider community. The curriculum demonstrated promising results when
administered face-to-face during an NIH-funded pilot study, and the Phase I project
demonstrated excellent usability and feasibility for online delivery through 4-H clubs. During
Phase II, we will finalize the program and conduct a group-randomized clinical trial among 4-H
clubs in four states (NJ, OH, MD, and PA). Clubs will be randomly assigned to use the
curriculum or continue current practices with the option for delivery at the end of the study. 4-H
members (ages 13-15) will complete a pretest, immediate posttest and follow-up posttests at 3
and 9 months to assess effects. Results will guide preparation of REAL media for the market.
The flexibility of the brief, online format (four 15-25 minute levels plus a fifth message planning
and production level) for youth in individual or group settings makes this ideal for both
community and school implementation. Thus, REAL media is well-suited for rapid
dissemination through our existing partners, 4-H, D.A.R.E., and Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as
other potential community partners (e.g., YM/WCA, Boys and Girl Scouts) and is appropriate
for Phase II funding.
