newportFILM and Salve Regina University have released the results of a pilot study on teen social media use and media literacy, conducted with 55 eighth-grade students at Thompson Middle School last fall — and are now seeking to expand the program that grew out of it.
The study, conducted in fall 2025 by 20 Salve students as part of a course on Public Opinion, Media and Democracy, found that social media plays an outsized role in students’ daily lives. Eighth graders reported spending an average of six hours a day on platforms including YouTube (93%), TikTok (88%), Snapchat (85%), Instagram (68%) and Pinterest (57%) — cumulatively the equivalent of a full work week.
While most students reported being somewhat confident in the accuracy of news they see on social media, many also expressed uncertainty about whether information online is always reliable. When students do check whether something is accurate, they most often search online, look for related social media posts, or ask friends and family.
“What sets this program apart is how it engages students in understanding that media literacy is essential in sustaining a healthy democracy,” said Dr. Mary Anderson, the David and Carolyn Brodsky Chair in U.S. Constitutional Democracy and Culture and professor of political science at Salve. “Students expressed thoughtful curiosity about their own media habits and a real interest in learning how to evaluate the information they encounter online.”
The study was developed as part of Loud & Clear, a new pilot initiative created by newportFILM in partnership with Salve and Thompson. In fall 2025, eighth graders visited Salve’s campus for a day of hands-on learning experiences that included a mock school committee meeting, producing short news reels in a professional media studio, fact-checking exercises and an interactive game show-style media literacy activity. During the program, many students said they were surprised by how much time they spend online.
“At newportFILM, we’ve spent 15 years sharing documentary stories that help communities better understand the world around them,” said Cathleen Carr, executive director of newportFILM. “As the media landscape changes rapidly, it’s more important than ever to understand how young people experience information online and give them the tools to identify credible sources and stories.”
newportFILM is now seeking support to make Loud & Clear a permanent part of the Thompson Middle School curriculum and expand the program to additional schools across Rhode Island. More information is available at newportfilm.com.