ABSTRACT
Media messages have a notable influence on the lives of children, adolescents, and adults, potentially contributing to a series of negative individual health and social outcomes (Austin, 2001; Austin, Chen, Pinkleton, & Quintero Johnson, 2006; Strasburger, Wilson, & Jordan, 2014). These negative outcomes include substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and obesity, and can have negative effects on families, including communication within the household (Cantor, 1998; Cantor & Mares, 2001). Arguably, media influences have increased over the years as the affordability and accessibility of multi-media devices increases (Mihailidis, 2014, p. 37). With the advent of mobile devices and Wi-Fi Internet, people can access an unprecedented amount of media content anytime, anywhere. The overwhelming ubiquity of media supports the argument that current media literacy interventions are inadequate in changing behavior. We posit that media literacy interventions should adapt to the contemporary media-saturated environment by taking on a more holistic approach that incorporates all family members, ensuring that media literacy skills are passed on through generations.
