Media and Safer Sex
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement provides an important policy statement supported by a summary of research pertaining to teen sexuality and media. Media literacy is strongly suggested as a necessary part of sex education programs today and research focused on the curriculum
Take It Seriously: Sex, Abstinence and Media (TISSAM) is cited here as an example demonstrating the positive impact a media literacy curriculum can have in addressing issues of teen sexuality.
Teen Health and the Media, developed by the Teen Futures Media Network, University of Washington and initiated with funding from the Washington State Department of Health addresses a range of teen health issues, including safer sex. The site introduces media literacy education as a strategy for addressing each of these important health issues with teens. As an example, see the section on
Family Planning
Advocates for Youth has been very interested in media issues. Among its activities focused on media, see:
Here is a step-by-step guide provided by
California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center for developing a social marketing campaign designed to reach youth. This site addresses the many decisions involved in developing a campaign and offers practical examples from the field of sexual and reproductive heath.
See
Planned Parenthood's
Federation of America’s Maggie Awards. These awards are intended to recognize outstanding contributions by media and arts entertainment industries that help “enhance the public’s understanding of reproductive rights and health care issues, including contraception, sex education, teen pregnancy, abortion, and international family planning.” Check out the latest list of award recipients.
Other Resources
This user-friendly booklet,
Birth Control: Choosing the Method That’s Right for You published by the Washington State Department of Health provides important information about each of the most common methods of birth control. A Spanish version of this booklet is also available.
These
Contraceptive Fact Sheets available in both English and Spanish were designed as a training tool for professionals to increase their knowledge about birth control options. They can also serve as useful handouts.
Check out the
Emergency Contraception Website provided by Princeton University for basic information about the different types of emergency contraceptive pills and using the Copper-T Intrauterine Device as emergency contraception.
The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals provides this
Fact Sheet about Emergency Contraception available in both English and Spanish were designed as a training tool for professionals to increase their knowledge about birth control options. They can also serve as useful handouts.
This
Birth Control Guide Food and Drug Administration Booklet guide provided by FDA, Office of Women’s Health, offers basic facts about the different kinds of FDA-approved medicines and devices for birth control.
See this
Birth Control Pill FAQ: Benefits, Risks and Choices resource provided by the Mayo Clinic for answers to some common frequently asked questions about birth control pills.
Check out the
Contraceptive Fact Sheets provided by Princeton University for basic information about the different types of emergency contraceptive pills and using the Copper-T Intrauterine Device as emergency contraception.
Emergency Contraception Website, an organization dedicated to promoting media literacy, features a range
of teen-generated film concerning media literacy education and its importance. Your students may be interested in hearing and seeing how other teens describe their views
about media literacy as it relates to a range of topics.
This set of
Health Matter Fact Sheets is produced by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.
The
I Wanna Know is provided by the American Social Health Association. The site offers information about a variety of sexual health issues and includes separate sections for parents and educators.
The
Kids Health website offered by the Nemours Foundation contains information for both teens and parents.
Check out some of the Medline Plus resources for authoritative information about topics you are exploring. For instance, check out
birth control. Be sure to see the links such as those offered for teenagers listed on this page for information about topics of specific interest.
Check out
ACOG’s publication addressing methods of birth control. Diagrams are also offered.