I AM not the MEdia: Why teach teens and young adults about media literacy

Studying the psychosocial development of a person's life cycle, Erik Erikson described adolescence as the stage of identity versus identity confusion. Between the ages of 13 and 19, teens are more likely to be influenced by their peers and their environment, often changing and experimenting different behaviors and activities while looking for answers about who they are and how they fit in society. Adolescents experience newly concerns about how they appear to others and start making their own decisions, despite how they were raised. One's ideologies are now chosen by themselves, which often leads to conflicts with adults over political and religious orientations. Aptitudes and dreams are considered while choosing a career or a role in society, something that can lead to conflicts when parents feel the need to control and influence their child's decision.True self discovery and identity comes when one reconciles with who you came to be in opposition with what society expects one to become. Also, it comes when one finds balance regarding what aptitudes he has and what he is going to do with it. These are important aspects of themselves teens need to figure out before entering adulthood.

On average, teens are exposed to the media 10 hours and 45 minutes per day, which includes engaging on social media, watching TV and playing video games. Considering teenagers are avid media consumers, one can only wonder at what extend the images and behaviors depicted by the media can influence teenagers, young adults and viewers in general. Sexuality, relationships, body image are some of the themes that seem to impact teens the most.

I AM not the MEdia, Inc. develops workshops for teens about media literacy believing that talking about unhealthy and risky behaviors and how they are portrayed on the media is the best way to provide teens with valuable information to be critical viewers of the media and informed decision makers. Ultimately, we give teens tools to think for themselves about how they want to be seen by others and what behaviors they can change to achieve their goals. We also work to send a strong message for people to embrace their individuality and uniqueness, hoping to build self esteem and their love for themselves.