The media plays a large role in shaping how many youth think and behave. Many of the messages kids receive from television, music, magazines, billboards, and the Internet glamorize drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. Yet, the media can be used to encourage positive behaviors as well. Four communications strategies—public education, social marketing, media advocacy, and media literacy—can be used to influence community norms, increase public awareness, and attract community support for a variety of prevention issues. These strategies are most effective when coupled with more potent prevention approaches, like policy, enforcement, education, and skill building. Evidence-based communication and education prevention strategies fall typically under five categories:

• Public Education
• Social Marketing
• Media Advocacy 
• Media Literacy
• Targeted Education and Training