{"id":1188,"date":"2024-08-23T17:03:55","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T17:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stand.org\/washington\/?p=1188"},"modified":"2026-04-03T18:38:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T18:38:40","slug":"lessons-learned-from-youth-media-trainings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stand.org\/washington\/our-stories\/lessons-learned-from-youth-media-trainings\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons Learned from Youth Media Trainings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For three weeks the Debt Free Youth Justice Coalition hosted youth media trainings in collaboration with the Juvenile Law Center. The series featured weekly sessions for youth to develop new media skills and the confidence to tell their stories. Over 80 youth registered for the series and those who attended asked various questions, such as, \u201cHow can I reduce the risk of being biased or being misquoted or misinterpreted?\u201d during our Writing an Op-Ed training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Media 101 training was a great foundational training where youth could learn why people choose to tell stories in the media and examples of how other youth have had their stories told by reporters were shared. These stories can educate the general public about various issues and they can change public perception of these issues, as well as put pressure on legislators to make changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s important for advocates, parents, community members, and youth to remember is that telling your story can come in so many different ways. Because one op-ed you write, one interview with a reporter, or reel on Instagram, that one thing doesn\u2019t wholly define you and it shouldn\u2019t wholly define you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the adage goes, \u201cclosed mouths don\u2019t get fed.\u201d We can\u2019t have tuition funded, food scarcity made obsolete, and mental health services made available. We can\u2019t have gun protection, safety, etc. if we aren\u2019t vocal about how these topics impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because legislators, elected officials, etc. they\u2019re people too, so they\u2019ll enact policies that benefit issues that they think are prevalent and relevant. Or they have a close friend or relative who tells them what\u2019s important, so that\u2019s what issue they champion. So they need to hear from us, they need to know \u201cthis is a critical issue that impacts my life\u201d and one way to paint that picture is by sharing your experience or your story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to write an autobiography or make a documentary about your life. You can share an anecdote about a particular instance or how something has made you feel.<\/a> Even sharing your reaction to a piece of legislation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the important thing all youth should take away from these trainings is feel empowered to not be silent. You don’t need to fit in a box. You don\u2019t need to be on the evening news. You don\u2019t need to be quoted in the Seattle Times or all this stuff to be relevant (or to matter). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social media is the new currency and these spaces are here to stay. Lean into what you and your friends do best. Lean into each other\u2019s stories, and amplify each other’s lived experiences.<\/a> So what if the media doesn\u2019t initially pick up something you think is really important? These institutions are, at times, losing credibility, trust, and viewership. So you can build your own credible space. You are the only truth-teller of your story, your experience, your feelings, and your thoughts. Any and all of these things could inspire your friend or a classmate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So my biggest takeaway and advice is to not be silent, even if other people aren\u2019t around to listen. We need your voice and your passion for wanting our communities to change. We need your hope, your optimism, your anger, and your frustration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People say the kids are the future, but we also look up to them. We look up to your ability to say it like it is. To be unique, to call out adults and call out the system. And I hope the youth trainings are only the beginning, that they may only be a catalyst for more youth to speak up and for the adults in the room to encourage the youth in our lives to gallantly speak their minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of youth stories shared in the media<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n