Digital Issues
Authenticating Information
Whether you are doing a little research, following a news story, or sharing interesting things on social media, the Internet is a never-ending source of information. But how do you know if that information is true, unbiased and relevant? This section helps you sharpen your critical thinking skills in finding, recognizing and sharing quality info online.
Cyberbullying
Cyber Security
Excessive Internet Use
Maintaining a healthy balance between entertainment media and other activities in children's lives has always been a challenge. The Internet has made this challenge even more difficult. This section explores how to recognize when excessive use has become problematic and how to address the issue.
Gambling
Marketing & Consumerism
Young people – who have disposable income and a tremendous influence on family purchases – are the perfect target for marketers and advertisers. This section covers various issues related to marketing that targets children and youth.
Online Hate
Online Ethics
This section introduces important concepts that impact our ethical behaviour such as ethical development, empathy and laws, rules and personal morality. Then we explore how these ethical concepts affect the ways that young people behave online as well as the opportunities they represent for developing digital literacy skills.
Privacy
Despite what many adults believe, privacy matters to youth. Teaching kids about privacy, ethics and digital citizenship can give youth the agency to control their personal information and avoid embarrassing or harming themselves and others with their online actions.
Pornography
Young people today are exposed to a plethora of sexual imagery in media – both online and off. This section looks at potential impacts of exposure to pornography on the development of healthy sexuality and offers tips for protecting young children and educating older kids.
Sexual Exploitation
It’s important to understand the real risks young people face on the Internet, especially in regards to sexual exploitation. Who is at risk of sexual harm and why? What activities are markers for higher risk and how can we protect those youth who are most vulnerable. This section explores these topics.
Sexting
Sexting is defined as sending and receiving sexual, nude and semi-nude images electronically. While there is evidence that sending sexts is not by itself a harmful activity, significant harm can be done when these sexts are shared without the original sender’s consent.