Family Media Forum

More and more parents are increasingly concerned about the media and how it affects the well-being of their children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents make media a family activity. “Whenever possible, use media with your children and discuss what they see, hear and read..”

The Family Media Forum is a fun and educational program that promotes greater dialogue between children and parents around media and media issues. Participation in FMF enhances and deepens communication skills.

Each program begins with a survey for youth and parents to identify actual media habits and points of concern. The survey informs the content of the program. Family Media Forums themes include:

• Nutrition and Food Marketing
• Media Violence
• Music Videos and
• Teenage Popularity/ Youth Culture
• Video Games
• Racial and Gender Stereotyping

Each Family Media Forum workshop is conducted in three sessions. During the first two sessions, youth learn more about their media issues and learn to create a piece of media (poster, article, advertisement) that they share with their parents. The final session brings the youth and caring adults together for a facilitated discussion and participatory media activities. Families also receive activities and resources for use at home.

Immigrant families are a special focus of Family Media Forum. Program materials are available in multiple languages and interpreters are used during the program sessions.

View the FMF video to learn more.

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Peer Health and Media Education (PHAME) Local Programs