Announcing the launch of a new Digital Citizen Day
September 1, 2022 – People are now spending almost 30% of their days online as a global average. We are living our lives in spaces like Instagram and Twitter but we’re not always conscious of the impact of our actions online.
MediaSmarts is pleased to announce the launch of a new national awareness day: Digital Citizen Day will remind Canadians that we are all digital citizens and we have the power to impact our online spaces for the better.
The first annual Digital Citizen Day takes place during Media Literacy Week on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, encouraging people to engage on social platforms using #DigitalCitizenDay and share what being a digital citizen means to them. It’s hosted by MediaSmarts, Canada’s not-for-profit centre for digital media literacy.
“We all know how to be responsible citizens in the offline world, but when it comes to the online world, we can sometimes act without realizing how it could affect ourselves and others,” said Kathryn Ann Hill, Executive Director of MediaSmarts. “This day is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how our actions can create a more positive digital world.”
Our online environments present unique challenges: extremism, online hate and the spread of misinformation, just to name a few. But studies have shown that it takes just 10 percent of the people in a community to set its values. Spreading positive content can have a real impact.
MediaSmarts’ digital media literacy experts are available for interviews leading up to and during Digital Citizen Day to explain what digital citizenship is and how people can be responsible digital citizens. For example:
- Remembering that there's a real person behind the screen
- Reaching out to help if you see someone being cyberbullied
- Pushing back against hate and prejudice online and reporting it
- Using digital tools to be an active citizen in your community
- Being mindful of your digital media use
- Checking reputable sources before sharing info
- Using tools, settings and preferences to manage online privacy
- Respecting other people’s privacy when sharing things online
Key info
- Experts available for interview:
- Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts
- Dr. Kara Brisson-Boivin, Director of Research at MediaSmarts
- Kathryn Ann Hill, Executive Director of MediaSmarts
- Marc-Alexandre Ladouceur, Media Education Specialist (bilingual) at MediaSmarts
- Canada’s 17th annual Media Literacy Week runs from October 24 to 28, 2022. The annual event invites all Canadians - teachers, students, seniors, community groups, libraries and museums - to celebrate by engaging in digital media literacy activities.
- Join our online Digital Citizen Day launch event The Walrus Talks at Home: Digital Citizenship on Wednesday, October 26 at 7 p.m. EST.
Media Literacy Week is run in partnership with the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) with patronage from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO).
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.
Media Literacy Week is sponsored by Bell, Meta, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, the Alberta Teachers Association and the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU).
Join the conversation:
#MediaLitWk | #DigitalCitizenDay
Twitter: @MediaSmarts | Facebook: @MediaSmarts
Instagram: @MediaSmarts.ca | YouTube: MediaSmarts | TikTok: @MediaSmarts
Contact:
Tricia Grant
Manager of Marketing and Communications
MediaSmarts
613-224-7721 ext. 231
tgrant@mediasmarts.ca
MediaSmarts is Canada's national, bilingual, not-for-profit centre for digital media literacy. For over 27 years, MediaSmarts has advanced digital media literacy in Canadian schools, homes and communities. Visit www.mediasmarts.ca to learn more.