Media World
Website
Program Description
Media World is a media literacy program designed for high school students to analyze media messages about substance use. The program contains 12 classroom-based core lessons that are 50-60 minutes long and have optional supplements. Students explore advertising tactics, media regulations, and the portrayal of substances like tobacco, alcohol, steroids, marijuana, prescription drugs, and highly caffeinated beverages. The program fosters active student engagement by analyzing and discussing real-world media examples. Its adaptable structure allows for flexible implementation in classrooms, after-school programs, and community settings.
Prevention Category
Practice Level
Strategies
Practice Components
Risk and Protective Factors
Population Age
Populations of Focus
Settings
Parental/Caregiver Involvement
Substance Use Prevention Focus
Recommended Staffing
Empirical Evidence of Impact
| Substance | Substance-Related Behavior | Population Age | Evidence Strength and Study Populations of Focus |
| Substance Use (General) | Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs | High School | Practice-Based Evidence (General Population)1-2 |
| References
1 Media World (2025). Media World is an Evidence-Based Program for the 21st Century. Retrieved from https://mediaworldprograms.com/research/ |
|||
Training and Technical Assistance
The developers highly recommend in-person or online training for teachers planning to implement the program. Technical assistance and evaluation services are also available, provided by Innovation Research and Training.
Adaptations
Elementary school programs that are part of these curricula have been used in both public and private schools, and curricula are available in both English and Spanish. Updated editions of curricula incorporate lessons on modern methods of marketing related to social media and vaping/e-cigarette products. Online and family-focused materials are also available.
Program Costs
Please visit the developer’s website listed above for updated information about implementation costs.
What California Providers Are Saying
We have not yet spoken to any California providers who have experience implementing Media World. If you have implemented it, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.
Labels
Universal,
Individual,
Relationship,
Community/Society, community-society, community society,
Information dissemination,
Education,
Education,
Self-efficacy/self-esteem enhancement,
Skills Training,
Community-based Processes, community based processes, community/based processes,
Early initiation of substance use,
Favorable attitudes towards substance abuse,
High self-esteem,
Personal engagement in two or more of the following: school, peers, athletics, employment, religion/spirituality, culture,
Positive temperament,
Communication and contact between caregivers and youth,
Supportive relationships with family,
Norms favorable towards substance use,
Substance use among peers,
Community norms, beliefs, and standards against substance use,
Opportunities for prosocial engagement in the school and community,
Positive social norms,
Age 6-12, Ages 6-12,
Age 13-17, Ages 13-17,
Age 18-20, Ages 18-20,
General Population, Hispanic,
Recommended/optional,
Alcohol,
Cannabis,
Cocaine,
Prescription Drugs,
Tobacco,
Home,
School (K-12), k-12,
Teachers/Educators, teachers educators, teachers-educators,