What’s New & Noteworthy at Media Power Youth
Thank You, 2024-2025 Youth Media Squad!
Throughout the 2024-2025 term, our Youth Advisory Board members engaged in valuable conversations about current trends in media and technology. Student slang, misinformation, accountability, and mental health are only some of the many topics our Youth Media Squad explored this year to help create effective resources and materials for Media Power Youth programs. For example, they discussed the importance of conflict-resolution skills, and created a collection of TV and movie scenes that can be used to start family conversations about communication and managing frustrations. They also identified real scenarios for MPY’s My Digital Life program, and provided insight on the activities facilitated during MPY’s Building Healthy Media Habits elementary school family workshop.
“I think the diversity of viewpoints I encountered when discussing with fellow YAB members was really eye-opening for me. A lot of interesting and unique ideas have been discussed at these meetings that I would have never considered otherwise. Additionally, the speaking we are encouraged to do has really helped me in speaking to a group and advocating for a position through the experience it gave me,” said YAB member Akshar Patel.
By sharing their unique perspectives about living in today’s constantly changing media landscape, each member advocated for the teens and tweens learning to navigate the challenges and opportunities of being online. “As our world moves further and further into the digital realm, the technology of the new digital world—devices and apps and AI and so much more—becomes necessary for teenagers’ day-to-day lives, and having foundational digital experience will make future usage safer, something we should all care about,” YAB member Geo Elasmar said.
Throughout the term, members also had the opportunity to meet industry professionals in fields such as communications and mental health. “I really liked that we had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers, it was very insightful and helped me understand my career options better,” YAB member Tarunya Dharmarajan said.
The Youth Media Squad also collaborated with each other on several passion projects to create resources about decreasing our carbon footprints, health misinformation, and ocean sustainability.
As the 2024-2025 term comes to a close, we are extending a huge “Thank You!” to all of our Youth Advisory Board members, and “Congratulations!” to the high school seniors who are graduating this year! We have really enjoyed getting to know you, and we are especially grateful for your contributions to Media Power Youth, and the significant impact you have made to the young people growing up in today’s digital world. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!
The next term of the Youth Advisory Board begins May 12, 2025. We look forward to welcoming the next group of young leaders to the squad!
⭐️ Thank you to organizational sponsor Systems Engineering for their ongoing support of Media Power Youth’s mission and programs!
Founded in 1988, Systems Engineering is a 100% employee-owned, SOC 2, Type 2-certified IT strategy and managed technology services provider.
Connect with them on LinkedIn.