Media literacy intervention effects on young adults’ decision making about substance use-related social media messages
Article / Journal
Author(s) / editor(s):
Andrew D. Sutherland
,
Erica Weintraub Austin
,
Hae Yeon Seo
,
and Shawn Domgaard
Year: 2026
Language(s): English
Abstract:
This online experiment (N = 1,201) tested a meme-style, infographic media literacy intervention aimed at reducing the influence and sharing of appealing but misleading substance-use social media messages among U.S. adults aged 18–29. Small age-specific effects were found: reduced tobacco expectancies for ages 18–20 and increased intent to avoid sharing misinformation for ages 27–29. Findings suggest tailoring media literacy messages to developmental differences—addressing short-term emotional appeals for emerging adults and logical/social consequences for older young adults.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07359683.2026.2635874
Post created by: Virginia Signorini