The Viral Video Contest Helpful Tips

Use positive emotions such as empowerment, love, excitement, hope, humor, etc. The idea is to connect positive emotions with positive health behaviors.
Avoid stigma. Have others review your script and draft video for any stigmatizing messages that may unintentionally imply shaming of individuals who may have a STI. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), STI/HIV stigma is negative attitudes and beliefs about people living with STIs and/or HIV. Here are a few examples:
- Believing that only certain groups of people can get STIs/HIV
- Making moral judgments about people who take steps to prevent STI/HIV transmission
- Feeling that people deserve to get STIs/HIV because of their choices
- See more about stigma related to STIs/HIV at https://www.cdc.gov/stophivtogether/hiv-stigma/ways-to-stop.html
Model your call to action. What do you want your audience to do after watching your video? Show your audience how they can do this. For example, your actors can:
- Model what can be done about stigma by encouraging people to: Get the facts. Having the facts can help reduce misunderstandings and decrease stigma associated with STI/HIV
- Talk about STIs/HIV. Talking openly about STIs/HIV can help normalize the subject o Take action. Leading others with supportive behavior. For tips on what you can do when you witness stigma go to https://bit.ly/2lEPTls
- Talk with partners about:
  - Consent
  - Healthy relationships
  - Boundaries
- Talk with a parent, guardian or other trusted adult about sexual health questions and concerns
- Mention other methods that help reduce the risk for STIs including:
  - Condom use
  - Limiting the number of partners
  - Choosing to abstain if a partner does not agree to safer sex practices
  - Getting tested with a partner and knowing each other’s status before engaging in sexual activity

REMINDER The advisor must be the liaison between youth participants and the Contest Administrator.

This includes submission of all materials and any contest related inquiries.

Consent Forms:

Each team's advisor must submit a Consent Form with their signature. In addition, the following people must submit a consent form signed by the youth participant acknowledging receipt and understanding of these Contest Rules and agreeing to abide by these Contest Rules.

Team members under 18 years of age must also have their parent or legal guardian sign the consent form
Team members 18 years of age and older may sign the consent form on their own behalf

You can sign the form electronically (below) and add to this Google Folder or print and sign, scan and add to the folder.

The Viral Video Contest 2023 ParentGuardian and Student Consent Form.pdf