Built on our proven in-person program, the Message Academy video series debuts with Episode I: Behind the Lines. Available now, this episode helps teens and adults protect their mental health, build healthier media habits, and understand how song lyrics shape identity and mindset.
The algorithm never sleeps. It observes, learns, and adapts. Every tap, Like, and share recorded, analyzed, and used to fashion our feeds into echo chambers of familiar opinions and predictable emotions. Screens become addictive windows into distorted realities where misinformation and harmful narratives influence the way youth see themselves and the world.
Studies show the impact is poor mental health and other negative outcomes for young people in the classroom, and in life. The algorithm is tangible, driving our technology, and psychological, subconsciously reinforcing the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, good or bad.
But algorithms aren’t invincible. They rely on patterns, and patterns can be broken by questioning narratives and thinking critically about the messages we consume and create.
Message Academy (MA) empowers youth to do just that and break the algorithm’s influence over their lives. It helps them push back on harmful messages, protect their mental health, and reclaim their voice and purpose.
Increased awareness of how media shapes identity, decision-making, and worldview
Critical thinking skills to question, analyze, and unpack media messages
Deeper understanding of the emotional and social effects of media and misinformation
Creative media skills to produce content aligned with positive values
Tools to engage online with empathy, responsibility, and integrity
Message Academy delivers media literacy and social emotional learning skills to students in grades 8–12 through an on-demand video series, live virtual instruction, and in-person classes. Media art enriches MA’s active learning experience, bringing lessons to life through the creation of songs, podcasts, video content, and more.
Message Academy prioritizes values + identity, mindset, and skillset building equally. MA is not culturally responsive, it is culturally relevant, meeting young people where they are, not where we want them to be. Academy lessons are crafted in collaboration with youth and informed by their stated needs and interests. These attributes combined help us create safe and horizontal spaces where young people can develop their voice, thinking, and self-awareness.
Overview
Self-paced media literacy and SEL video series designed for flexible use in classrooms, advisory periods, after-school programs, or homeschool curriculum.
Includes
10-part, narrative driven, video series (forthcoming)
Episode 1 now available
Student worksheets with critical thinking and reflection prompts
Optional quizzes for assessment
Best For
Educators looking for turnkey, plug-and-play content
Independent, small, or large group learning
Organizations seeking asynchronous program delivery
Overview
Real-time virtual workshops led by Message Academy facilitators via Zoom or your preferred platform, blending live instruction with digital tools.
Includes
Interactive facilitation with screen-shared media examples
Breakout room activities and group discussion
Digital student handouts and resources
Best For
Remote or hybrid learning environments
Organizations outside of our in-person regions
Schools wanting direct engagement without travel costs
Overview
Live, interactive, sessions led by Message Academy facilitators, grounded in culturally relevant pedagogy and youth engagement strategies.
Includes
Best For
This class gave me a chance to express my feelings about social media that most people ignore.
-Message Academy 9th Grader
Get access to Message Academy Episode I: Behind the Lines and then bring our team to your teens to broaden and extend the learning to more topics, no travel required!
*Available to schools and organizations in Greater Boston and Greater Toronto only
Bring Message Academy directly to your school! Fill our inquiry form to receive our program guide and dive into the details including curriculum, pricing, implementation options, and more.