MediaSmarts Tags - Digital Citizenship

Level: Grades 8-10

Author: Jeff Gagnon, Media Education Specialist, MediaSmarts

Overview

Typically, sexting occurs in three contexts: in lieu of sexual activity for younger adolescents who are not yet physically sexually active; to show interest in someone a teen would like to date; and, for sexually active youth, as proof of trust and intimacy. Exchanging sexual images may also be part of “truth or dare” game-playing among younger adolescents or goofing around while mimicking “sexy” media images.

Talk to young people about healthy relationships and the importance of not feeling pressured into doing things they don’t want to do – such as taking explicit pictures of themselves.

In fact, many teens feel safer and more confident flirting online than face-to-face. While these are developmentally normal behaviours for adolescents, conducting them in the globally connected, anonymous environment of the Internet poses special risks.

Level: Grades 9 to 10

Author: Matthew Johnson, Director of Education, MediaSmarts

Duration: 1 to 1/2 hours

Overview

A social networking site is a place on the Web where interactions take place between friends and where new friendships and social networks are created. These sites each have a different purpose. Some, like LinkedIn focus on professional relations; others, such as Flixster deal with specific interests (in this case, movies); finally, there are those like Facebook that link up friends and relatives.

Both schools and homes should create an online agreement or contract for computer use, with input from students or children. Make sure your agreement contains clear rules about ethical online behaviour.  Research has shown that bullying rates drop when kids know that it is against the rules and how to report it. [1]With younger children who visit games sites, rules should deal with online interaction: never provide personal information and don’t share passwords with friends.For teenagers, online social activity is intense.

Level: Grades 9 - 12

Author: Matthew Johnson, Director of Education, MediaSmarts

This lesson was made possible with financial support from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Overview

Level: Grades 8-10

Author: Jeff Gagnon, Media Education Specialist, MediaSmarts

Overview

In this lesson, students develop their critical thinking skills by learning to recognize various types of logical fallacies, including those that are used by hate mongers to spread misinformation and fuel hatred and intolerance.

Learning Outcomes

The students will: