Peers and concerns about social acceptance are a focal point in the lives of adolescents. Research has found that young women typically seek friendships that will meet their emotional needs more often than young men. Social media has made that more complicated because interpersonal relationships are impacted by immediacy and the number of contacts available, as well as visual images.

The purpose of this project was to develop a curriculum that could be used for young women, 15 – 17 years of age, to help them develop basic strength-based and assertiveness skills aimed at identifying and overcoming interpersonal and social media challenges.

This curriculum includes a Facilitator’s Guide which provides the direction for three meetings (instead of sessions or workshops) and handouts with activities for the participants. The program is named “TBD” or “To Be Determined” so the young women participating can choose their own identity as part of empowerment and self-esteem building.