Healthy Media?
Healthy media sends positive messages to
consumers and doesn’t do anything to
harm them physically or mentally. One
example of healthy media might be a
television commercial that notes the
importance of exercise by showing a
group of children laughing and playing
soccer.
Example of Healthy Media
Unhealthy Media?
Unhealthy media hurts the consumer.
Think about a television show in which a
group of girls are being mean to another
girl because she is wearing a certain
brand of jeans. Viewers may end up
believing that you’ll only be liked if you
wear particular clothes.
Example of Unhealthy Media
Answer the following questions.
1. What idea does this
poster from the mid1900s try to sell?
2. Is this media healthy
or unhealthy?
Explain your answer.
Answer the following questions.
1. What product is this
ad trying to sell?
2. What techniques of
persuasion does this
ad use?
3. Is this ad healthy or
unhealthy? Explain
your answer.
Create your own.
Healthy Media
Unhealthy Media
 Now it’s your turn. On your own notebook paper, copy the above chart.
Design one example of healthy media, and one example of unhealthy
media. This can be an ad, a poster, or another form of media. Under your
drawing, write an explanation for your media.
Hidden Messages
 Media-literate consumers have the skill to experience a
piece of media and tell what messages it brings. These
messages are both obvious and hidden.
 For instance, a print ad for soda might show three
beautiful, smiling women sipping glasses of soda at a
table while a handsome waiter looks on.
 The obvious message of this ad is that you should drink
this soda.
 The hidden message of this ad is that if you buy this
soda, you will be beautiful and happy and surrounded by
good-looking people.
Read the descriptions of media below. Then explain the obvious
message and the hidden message.
Obvious Message
Hidden Message
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
1.
2.
3.
In a television commercial, a boys eats a bowl of cereal. Suddenly, he is able to fly over his
house and his city with amazing super-powers.
On a radio show for children, a doctor is the special guest. He tells listeners that it’s important
to eat fruits and vegetables. “That’s what I did,” he says, “and now I’m a doctor!”
On a billboard, there is a photo of a cat with a dead bird in its mouth. Under the picture are the
words, “Keep your cat inside because nature is not a snack bar.”