Young people deserve access
to a media environment that is
safe and free
from harm.
What We Do
MDR empowers youth with tools, strategies, resources, and social connection with peer mentors that support their digital wellbeing.
Our mission is to amplify the practice of social responsibility in media while providing education, voice and access to youth change-makers through our 3-pillar approach of media literacy, production, and advocacy.
only 15% of U.S. high school students are proficient in digital literacy
Who We Serve
MDR invests in youth as leaders in the charge for digital wellbeing
We focus on serving low-income, under-resourced, BIPOC, and marginalized youth and communities—those who are disproportionately affected by the digital landscape. These communities face twice the impact of daily media consumption. Cyberbullying touches approximately 37% of teens, and Black and Hispanic youth are more likely to experience depression linked to unconscious social media use. Yet, the representation in media literacy remains minimal, with only 5% of practitioners being Black and 3% Hispanic or Latino. MDR is dedicated to changing that.
Did You Know?
Today’s digital environment is driven by AI, Algorithms, and programs designed to keep people on websites using addictive psychological tools leading to polarization, doom scrolling, anxiety, and poor mental health for youth. While resources exist to provide digital literacy and wellbeing, it is not standardized in the U.S. and across the globe, and is not accessible to all communities outside of schools. It also takes a top-down approach where experts and parents are expected to shield youth without engaging them effectively in the process.
MDR has identified 3 key areas exacerbated by these conditions:
There is lack of youth agency and decision-making in digital spaces.
Youth must manage cyberbullying and social disconnection with limited resources/comprehensive support.
There is a lack of visibility and access to culturally responsive digital literacy and wellness resources.
Our Theory of Change
Our 3 Pillars
Media literacy requires being able to analyze and critically think about the media we are consuming. It is the ability to learn how we relate to the media and get clear on what issues matter most to us, how these issues are playing out in the media, and how we might want to create change within this area.
With a media literacy lens and looking at what the problem is, we then come up with a solution in the form of media production. The goal is to utilize the skills and tools that we have available to us already and create engaging content that can also be used to advocate for a cause.
Utilizing the media content that was created in media production, we come up with a plan of action for an advocacy campaign. This involves writing up letters, posting on social media, making public service announcements, etc.
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EIN: 46-3754868
Made possible with funding from CCSWG