# Effects of a Media Prevention Program on Media-Related Knowledge and Awareness in Children and Their Parents: A Non-Randomized Controlled Cluster Study

## TL;DR

A school-based media prevention program improved children's and parents' knowledge and awareness about internet dangers, with lasting effects.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that school-based media education can effectively enhance children's and parents' media-related knowledge and awareness.

## Key findings

- Children's perceived and objective knowledge and awareness of internet dangers increased significantly after the program.
- Parents' confidence in media education and discussions about media topics improved over time.
- Media use frequency remained unchanged in both the experimental and control groups.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study evaluates a media prevention program conducted in elementary schools. Methods: A one-week media program, carried out with fourth graders in Leipzig, Germany, was evaluated using a non-randomized controlled cluster design. Program participants (experimental group (EG), n = 84 children, 41 parents) and non-participants (control group (CG), n = 19 children, 14 parents) completed questionnaires before the media program (t1), directly after the program (t2, EG only), and 3 months later (t3). The child questionnaire assessed media use frequency, rules at home, perceived and objective media-knowledge, and awareness of dangers on the Internet. The parent questionnaire assessed media-related topics discussed with their children and parents’ confidence regarding media education. Results: In the EG, children’s perceived and objective knowledge and their awareness of dangers on the Internet increased significantly between t1 and t2 and remained stable until t3, while no changes were observed in the CG. The number of children reporting that there exist rules on social media use also increased significantly in the EG but not in the CG. The amount of media-related topics discussed within the family and parents’ confidence regarding media education increased significantly from t1 to t3 in both EG and CG. Children’s media use frequency did not change across time, neither in the EG nor in the CG. Conclusions: Media prevention programs at school can have positive effects on children’s knowledge and awareness of dangers on the Internet and might improve parents’ confidence in and the realization of media education at home.