Countering Media Influences Lesson

Objectives TSW analyze how media can influence choices to use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs TSW counteract media messages that promote tobacco, alcohol, or other drug use

Health Terms Counteract Media Target audience

Intro Transition In your student journal, describe some of the different kinds of media you see and hear in your everyday life. Motivate How much do you think teens are affected by the things they see and hear in the media? Would you say that media was a big influence in your own life? Why or why not?

Teaching Steps Survey Look at the different types of media on the board. Which of these do you think can be used to influence teens to use tobacco, alcohol or other drugs? Share Get out your homework about the media content or messages you saw or heard that might promote tobacco, alcohol, or other drug use. What are some of the examples you noticed?

Teaching Steps Explain Ads for alcohol, tobacco, prescription and over-the- counter drugs Alcohol and tobacco ads – aimed at younger audience to make them long-term customers Studies show teens exposed to alcohol ads are more likely to drink, 90% of movies show drinking (50% G-rated films) Model During the Super Bowl, there was a beer ad that showed a group of young, good- looking people at a party, drinking beer and having a good time. One person in the ad was being made fun of because he wasn’t drinking the beer advertised. At the end of the ad, he tried the advertised beer and everybody cheered. What are some of the messages being sent about drinking beer in this ad? How does this ad try to appeal to the target audience, the group or groups it’s intended to reach and influence?

Teaching Steps Ask and Discuss Based on what you’ve learned, what effects or negative consequences are being left out of ads and many media messages about alcohol use? Based on what you’ve learned, what effects or negative consequences are being left out of ads and many media messages about tobacco use? Why aren’t these negative consequences of alcohol and tobacco included in commercials, movies, songs, and other media?

Teaching Steps Summarize Where are they? – trying to a product and make a profit, pay to place products in movies or on TV Drug use – benefit company who makes them, not thinking of best interest of audience

Assessment and Closure Complete Get your laptops out and logon on to your Itslearning… Counteracting Media Messages Blue workbook – page Close Why is it important to learn how to accurately analyze media message regarding alcohol and other drug use?