Immersive VR and media literacy to help teens cope with traumatic online experiences
Using Immersive Virtual Reality and Media Literacy to Enhance Adolescents' Coping Skills in the Face of Traumatic Online Experiences
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · NIH-11132732
See whether an immersive virtual reality program combined with media literacy lessons can help adolescents build coping skills after harmful online experiences.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11132732 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would use a safe, school-friendly virtual reality program plus media literacy lessons that show how to spot and respond to harmful or traumatic online content. The team will design the VR scenarios and lessons with input from teens and experts, then run a small randomized trial where some students get the VR program and others get standard school materials. Over the study period researchers will measure coping skills, anxiety and depression symptoms, and how comfortable students feel handling online stress. Results and participant feedback will be used to refine the program for broader use in schools.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents who have experienced or are at risk of traumatic or harmful online interactions and who can attend school- or clinic-based sessions.
Not a fit: Very young children, adults outside the adolescent age range, or youths with acute psychiatric crises requiring immediate clinical care may not benefit from this preventive program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could give teens practical skills to reduce distress from online harassment and lower anxiety and depression related to traumatic online experiences.
How similar studies have performed: Some school-based media literacy and VR psychoeducation efforts have shown promise, but combining immersive VR with media literacy for online trauma is relatively new and not yet tested in large trials.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Los Angeles, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TYNES, BRENDESHA MARIE — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- Study coordinator: TYNES, BRENDESHA MARIE
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.