MediaSmarts Blog

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Buying a smartphone for teens

Submitted by Rebecca Stanisic on 02 Sep 2022.

It’s time to buy a smartphone for my youngest (who is only a few months away from being 14 years old). While we know there are considerations and conversations needed around the use of phones, safety, apps, privacy and other responsibilities when owning a phone, we also know the time is right.

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Cell Phones and Texting, Internet & Mobile, Parents, Privacy

What do teens really think about screen time?

Submitted by Rebecca Stanisic on 29 Jul 2022.

Screen time is a common topic for parents to try and manage today. Are we allowing too much? How do we make it safe? We will ask our friends and fellow parents for their thoughts or advice or learn tips from resources (like MediaSmarts!) to help us navigate this new aspect of parenting. When I was my kids’ age, we were just loading Netscape 2.0 onto our computers, and we’d check our ICQ messages before putting in a VHS to watch a movie or playing some Super Mario RPG.  The online world is so different now.

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Digital Health, Internet & Mobile, Movies, Parents, Social Networking, Television

The summer screen plan

Submitted by Rebecca Stanisic on 23 Jun 2022.

Recently in my Facebook memories, a photo from years ago appeared. In the caption, I had written about how I was telling the kids they couldn’t spend their summer on their screens and that in reply, my eldest, likely about 10 years old at the time, pulled out his recorder from school to give an impromptu concert. The photo I shared was a picture of him playing it. I suspect, based on my post, that I not only appreciated his reply to my statement (as sarcastic as it may have been), but that they did, in fact, end up with plenty of screen time.  

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Digital Health, Parents, Television

Through Galaxies and Multiverses: Watching with our kids

Submitted by Rebecca Stanisic on 01 Jun 2022.

For generations, Star Wars has captured the hearts and imaginations of so many. Parents can now share the past stories with our own kids, and experience new ones together as new media from the Star Wars universe, like comics, television shows and more movies come to life.

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Diversity in Media, Media Production, Movies, Parents, Television

My Voice is Louder Than Hate

Submitted by MediaSmarts on 18 May 2022.

My Voice is Louder Than Hate, MediaSmarts’ latest resource, uses digital storytelling and meme making tools to encourage youth to push back when they encounter hate online.

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Internet & Mobile, Online Hate, Resources

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