Alberta students' safe Internet use promoted in MyWorld

Online resource addresses issues of cyberbullying and privacy

November 14, 2011 (Ottawa) – Alberta Education has licensed MyWorld: A digital literacy tutorial for secondary students for all secondary schools in the province. The interactive tutorial –developed by Media Awareness Network (MNet) – offers students simulations of popular online sites to teach them about cyberbullying, hate speech, online marketing ploys and privacy protection.

Online resource addresses issues of cyberbullying and privacy

November 14, 2011 (Ottawa) – Alberta Education has licensed MyWorld: A digital literacy tutorial for secondary students for all secondary schools in the province. The interactive tutorial –developed by Media Awareness Network (MNet) – offers students simulations of popular online sites to teach them about cyberbullying, hate speech, online marketing ploys and privacy protection.

"Older students rely on the Internet as a source of information and a vital link to their peers," said Alberta Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk. "This has raised discussion among parents, teachers and administrators about the need for more resources to deal with issues such as privacy and cyberbullying."

MyWorld also contains information on authenticating online information, reputation management, dealing with online relationships and ethical use of the Internet. MyWorld builds on an existing licence agreement Alberta has for MNet's complementary resource for elementary students Passport to the Internet.

"By combining MyWorld and Passport to the Internet, Alberta Education is helping to ensure that all the province's students have the necessary critical thinking skills to be informed and responsible digital citizens" said Cathy Wing, Co-Executive Director, Media Awareness Network.

MyWorld was developed with financial contributions from the Inukshuk Wireless Learning Plan Fund and TELUS, and in partnership with PREVNet. For more information on MyWorld, visit /en/learningtutorialsandmodules/myworld-overview

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Media Awareness Network (MNet) is a Canadian not-for-profit centre for digital and media literacy. MNet's programs are funded by its public and private sector sponsors and partners, who include: Bell Media - Shaw - TELUS - CIRA - Google - National Film Board of Canada - Government of Canada.

For additional information, contact:
Cathy Wing
Co-Executive Director
Media Awareness Network
613-224-7721, Ext. 227
cwing@media-awareness.ca