What’s New & Noteworthy at Media Power Youth

Don’t Let a Chemical Choose Your Vibe: Teens Take the Lead During MPY Workshop

At Media Power Youth, we have the unique privilege of collaborating with young people who are just starting to find their voice. They are creative, funny, and smart. The students we encounter in our work inspire us to think differently about the challenges that surround us everyday and often jump at the chance to help peers step out of their comfort zone to learn a new skill, especially when that skill involves media.  

We recently partnered with a group of community organizations on a vaping prevention initiative: Boys and Girls Club of Greater Derry, Community Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS), and South Central Public Health Network (SCPHN).

This project was made possible by a grant from the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services. 

Media Power Youth facilitated a hands-on media literacy workshop where participants could design their own media around a vaping prevention message. Together we explored how vaping manufacturers market their products and the communication techniques they use to grab our attention. SCPHN shared data about how vaping can affect our bodies and brains during adolescence, as well as resources for quitting to help friends who might be struggling with this addiction. Our youth participants were surprised to learn that 90% of adults who use nicotine started when they were teenagers*. Knowing this fact helped them realize that they could make a difference by taking action and letting their peers know about the dangers of vaping. 

Then, we got creative. We scouted out locations and props at the Boys & Girls Club in Derry (our host location). We learned how to frame a shot, write a tagline, and how music can shape how we feel about information. Our group also discussed how young people want to learn about health topics and decided on a two-part approach: designing stickers and creating a series of social media videos.  

Our young creatives took the lead on all aspects of the project from hand drawing the artwork on the stickers to editing the video footage. They experienced time pressure, creative differences, and the technical learning curve that comes with using unfamiliar equipment to tell a story. It’s these dynamic learning experiences that will help prepare our youth to navigate the messy realities of friendship and the uncertainties they will inevitably face as they grow into adulthood. 

We are excited to share with you the videos they created. By sharing them with friends and family, you’ll be joining the prevention community and helping to make the world safer and healthier for all of us. We also encourage you to check out My Life My Quit, an online resource with tools to help friends start their quitting journey.

*Source:  My Life My Quit – Vaping and Tobacco, Web 12. July 2026.