Flashpoint uses media literacy as the basis of a social intervention for high-risk adolescents and recognizes the need to moderate the effects of the media on children and adolescents is of particular concern for adolescents at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system. These vulnerable adolescents can benefit from learning that violence presented in entertainment programming is not based on reality. Flashpoint involves 12 sessions that combine media literacy and critical thinking skills. A central construct of the program is to understand flashpoints, moments when feelings are translated into actions. Flashpoint was evaluated during its first year of operation between October 1997 and September 1998. Of 33 adolescents who completed the program, 13 were asked if they would be willing to participate in a 1-hour interview designed to explore their experiences and thoughts about the program. Adolescents talked about changes in their behavior, positive changes in their thought processes, and changes or increases in knowledge. Changes in behavior included conflict avoidance, such as removing oneself from a potentially explosive situation, calming down, or refraining from escalating violence. Adolescents repeatedly cited the chance to interact with others as the most beneficial part of the program. 30 references