TELUS commits $75,000 to digital literacy skills for Canadian children

New platinum sponsorship of MediaSmarts will support research and education to tackle cyberbullying and other pressing issues

OTTAWA, June 6, 2018 – MediaSmarts, Canada’s centre for digital and media literacy, is pleased to welcome TELUS as a platinum sponsor with a $75,000 contribution. TELUS had previously sponsored the charitable organization at the silver ($30,000) level for many years.

“TELUS has taken a leadership role in digital and media literacy in Canada with this new sponsorship,” said Cathy Wing, Co-Executive Director of MediaSmarts. “We welcome TELUS’s increased commitment to support the healthy development of Canadian children and youth in our rapidly changing digital world.”

TELUS and MediaSmarts share a common mission to ensure that Canadian children and youth have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens. In 2012, TELUS launched TELUS Wise, a free educational program focusing on digital safety, offering Canadians of all ages interactive and informative workshops and resources. Topics include protecting online security, privacy and reputation, rising above cyberbullying, and using technology responsibly.

“We believe strongly in MediaSmarts’ mandate and are eager to increase our support for this incredible organization,” said Nimtaz Kanji, Director, TELUS Wise. “The important work they do aligns well with our efforts to keep Canadians safe in our digital world and empower Canadian youth to rise above cyberbullying. We are looking forward to collaborating with MediaSmarts this year on a number of new resources for parents, supporting them in their efforts to raise their children to be good digital citizens.”

Over the years TELUS has demonstrated its commitment to digital literacy, having previously funded many of MediaSmarts’ research and education initiatives, including the Impact! How to Make a Difference When You Witness Bullying Online program. Most recently, TELUS supported research into the non-consensual sharing of sexts among Canadian youth, which will inform the development of more effective interventions to discourage this harmful behaviour.

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About MediaSmarts

MediaSmarts is a Canadian not-for-profit centre for digital and media literacy. Its vision is that children and youth have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens. MediaSmarts offers hundreds of digital and media literacy resources for teachers, parents and librarians on its website.

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is Canada’s fastest-growing national telecommunications company. Our focus on putting customers first is incorporated into every aspect of our business, and has allowed us to become industry leaders in customer service and loyalty. We provide a wide range of communications products and services throughout Canada, including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment, video and home automation, including security. TELUS is also Canada's largest healthcare IT provider, and TELUS International delivers business process solutions around the globe.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $525 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered more than 8.7 million hours of service to local communities since 2000.

Contact: Liz Berman, Marketing and Communications Manager, MediaSmarts
613-224-7721, ext. 231, lberman@mediasmarts.ca

Contact: Sacha Gudmundsson, Communications Manager, TELUS
647-472-8856, sacha.gudmundsson@telus.com