Dive Brief:

• Rochester,  NH, has been named the first model community in an initiative to curb youth violence.  
• The anti-violence program, which is led by Media Power Youth, focuses on the media's role on destructive behavior. MPY offers teachers free lessons on media literacy and provides schools with media curriculum for elementary schools across the state of New Hampshire.  
• The program is being funded through grants from the state attorney general's office and also has programming for middle and high schools.  

Dive Insight:

Youth violence is very real.  And while teaching reading, math, and the rest of the traditional classes is important, schools are beginning to understand the need to implement programming that also covers media, social behavior, and more.

The Media Power Youth Program may be the one New Hampshire has elected to implement, but there are many national programs that can be implemented on campuses. For example, in March, Education Dive looked at learning.com's Digital Citizen app, which helps students navigate the Internet, as well as cyber bullying.