Many teens spend more waking hours with the media - television, movies, music, magazines and computer technologies - than they do with parents and other adults. Popular culture, reflected in the media, has the power to shape values and beliefs in ways that often challenge the teachings of your faith. The same media can also provide youth with exciting ways to discover important religious values. In order to help youth sort out the subtle meanings in media messages and to become critical viewers of the media, many faith leaders are incorporating "media literacy" lessons into their youth programs. When youth understand the impact of media in popular culture, they are less susceptible to its negative influences.

• Educate parents and other adults about the importance of helping kids analyze the media. Increase their awareness by including discussions of media literacy principles in parenting classes and tips in parenting materials.
• Include activities that promote critical awareness of the media. For example, host an event where kids review music lyrics and music videos, clips from television shows, commercials, and magazine print ads. Ask youth to identify specific content or images that relate to drugs, alcohol, sex, violence and racial and gender stereotypes. In small groups, have them discuss substance use and the normalization of drugs, alcohol and tobacco in contemporary pop and rap music. Together, evaluate underlying values and messages, specifically how they compare and contrast with those embraced by your religious beliefs.

For additional information on media literacy, exercises and programs that are currently underway in faith communities, visit www.theantidrug.com/faith/medialiteracy.