Media Literacy for Teens that Hits Different
Help your teens protect their mental health and think critically about media with Message Academy, a media literacy and SEL masterclass for grades 8-12.
Built on our proven in-person program, the new Message Academy video series explores how media influences values, identity, and mental health.
Watch the trailer and bring Episode I: Behind the Lines to your learners today
WHAT'S INSIDE? MORE THAN A MOMENT
Message Academy videos are designed for lasting impact and continued use with new groups of youth throughout the year. Behind the Lines includes:
Cinematic Video Lesson
A narrative-driven lesson exploring how song lyrics shape identity, mental health, and behavior.
Discussion Guides + Activities
Standards-aligned prompts, remix exercise, and group activities that are ready to implement in classrooms, libraries, or youth programs.
Optional Live Virtual Instruction
Deepened engagement with interactive live virtual sessions led by our team, designed to broaden and extend learning.
WHAT MESSAGE ACADEMY OFFERS
FOR Teens / learners
- Understand how media shapes identity, values, and mindset
- Build critical thinking and decision-making skills
- Navigate media, AI, and life with empathy and purpose
FOR EDUCATORS AND YOUTH WORKERS
- Done for you, plug-and-play, video lessons and discussion guides
- Flexible activities for multiple groups throughout the year
- Standards-aligned and SEL-integrated media literacy + media art curriculum
- Optional live instruction to enhance engagement
TRUSTED BY SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS
WHY MESSAGE ACADEMY
TEENS ARE IN A MEDIA AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS
60%
of teens who were heavy social media users with low parental support reported poor or very poor mental health in a 2024 study from the American Psychological Association.
Find out how harmful media affects youth well-being
OUR APPROACH: BEYOND FACT-CHECKING
Misinformation is the Tip of the Iceberg
Today’s AI driven media environment doesn’t just inform or misinform; it influences how young people see themselves, and the world. Misinformation and harmful messages go deep, and so do we. We believe skillsets without mindset are a half-step, and our work prioritizes both. It’s the difference between learning to spot misinformation and becoming a truth seeker. Birds don’t just learn to fly; they fly because it’s who they are.
OUR IMPACT
5,000+
Students reached in the United States and Canada
94%
of surveyed Message Academy students understand media’s influence on their thoughts and behaviors
80%
recognize how their social media presence affects their future
76%
shared or planned to share their Message Academy experience with friends