Webinar Wednesday: “Beyond the Scares”: Can Media Messages in Horror Movies Shape Adolescent Sexual Attitudes and Beliefs?

Horror movies are often viewed as entertainment, but they can also communicate messages about sex, relationships, consent, gender roles, and sexual behavior. This engaging webinar will look beyond the scares to examine how these messages are portrayed and what adolescents may learn—or perceive—from the media they consume. 

Participants will explore common sexual and relationship themes in horror movies and consider how media exposure may contribute to adolescents’ attitudes and beliefs about relationships, sexuality, consent, and gender. The session will also introduce practical media literacy strategies and character profiles that can help young people critically evaluate entertainment media and distinguish between fictional portrayals and healthy, real-world relationships.

Participants will leave with strategies for creating meaningful conversations with adolescents about media messages, as well as approaches for listening to and understanding young people’s perspectives, questions, and beliefs related to sexual health and relationships.