Students across Quebec learn lessons in online privacy at launch of Media Literacy Week 2012

Montreal, December 4, 2012 – Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Leonard joined with schools across Quebec at an event to launch Media Literacy Week 2012. Students had the opportunity to talk with a panel of experts about online privacy as part of this year’s theme Privacy Matters.

The week, which runs from November 5 to 9, is hosted by MediaSmarts and the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF). Jennifer Stoddart, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, provided opening comments at the event on the importance of educating youth about their privacy rights.

CTF President Paul Taillefer notes that the private self and public self of today’s youth have become increasingly intertwined, “Our role as educators is to help them open their eyes and use their judgment to stay in control of their personal information and ultimately their reputations.”

“We live in a world where students are online regularly,” says Angela Mancini, chairman of the English Montreal School Board. “This event represents an excellent example of authentic learning and we appreciate the fact MediaSmarts and the CTF have chosen to work so directly with the EMSB. We are also very proud of Laurier Macdonald High School for its reputation of having one of the finest media education programs in the country, which even includes a course on online gaming.”

The privacy panel included participants from Google Canada, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and University of Ottawa. The discussion was broadcast to over 33 schools across the province through Community Learning Centres.

Media Literacy Week has the support of over 60 organizations, including Gold Sponsors Bell and YouTube, and Silver Sponsor TELUS. For a full list of this year’s financial supporters visit www.medialiteracyweek.ca/en/about_supporters.htm. The 2012 collaborators can be viewed at www.medialiteracyweek.ca/en/about_partners.htm.

Privacy resources for parents, teachers and youth can be found on the Media Literacy Week website at www.medialiteracyweek.ca.

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MediaSmarts (formerly known as Media Awareness Network) is a Canadian not-for-profit centre for digital and media literacy. Its vision is that young people have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens. MediaSmarts’ programs are supported by: TELUS, CIRA, Google, Bell, Shaw, Bell Media, and the National Film Board of Canada. www.mediasmarts.ca @mediasmarts @habilomedias

The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) is an alliance of 15 Member organizations and one Affiliate Member representing nearly 200,000 teachers across the country. The CTF is also a member of the international body of teachers Education International (EI). Follow CTF on Twitter @CTFPresident, @CanTeachersFed, @EnseigneCanada.

Contact:

Maya Shoucair
Communications Officer
MediaSmarts
613-224-7721 ext. 231
mshoucair@mediasmarts.ca

Michael J. Cohen
Communications and Marketing Specialist
English Montreal School Board
514-483-7200 ext. 7243
mcohen@emsb.qc.ca

Francine Filion
Director of Communications
Canadian Teachers' Federation
613-688-4314
ffili@ctf-fce.ca