Resilience through DigitalSmarts
Digital Literacy for Survivors of Technology-Facilitated Violence Program Overview
Resilience Through DigitalSmarts is a national digital media literacy program designed to support survivors of technology-facilitated violence and abuse and the practitioners who work with them. The program helps participants build the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to safely navigate digital spaces and participate fully in today’s online world.
The initiative was developed over four years by MediaSmarts in partnership with organizations in the violence against women (VAW) sector. The program draws on consultations and focus groups with survivors and frontline practitioners across Canada to ensure resources reflect real experiences and needs.
Digital media literacy plays an important role in reducing social and economic barriers and strengthening opportunities, especially for women and girls. Resilience Through DigitalSmarts supports participants in strengthening their online resilience while improving digital safety, well-being and confidence.
Survivors who have participated in the program, as well as those seeking support, can find additional tools and information on our program resources page.
Training and Delivery
Organizations and individuals interested in the Resilience Through DigitalSmarts program are encouraged to contact [email protected]
MediaSmarts experts can deliver workshops directly, provide training for organizations that wish to deliver the workshops themselves, or share access to the program’s training materials, facilitation guides and educational resources.
Program Components
The program includes practical educational materials and hands-on learning opportunities designed for both survivors and practitioners.
Workshops for survivors
Resilience Through DigitalSmarts includes a series of six interactive workshops that help participants develop the skills needed to engage safely and confidently online. Sessions introduce essential digital skills such as online safety, privacy and security, digital storytelling, navigating relationships online and using digital tools for everyday activities like job searching or online services. Workshops include instructional videos, activities and guided discussions.
Digital safety handouts
Printable “digital triage” handouts provide clear and practical information on securing devices, communicating safely and safe browsing for survivors in crisis. Materials are available in 12 languages to improve accessibility for diverse communities.
Training for facilitators
The program also includes training materials and a guide to support practitioners delivering trauma-informed digital media literacy education to survivors. These materials outline key trauma-and violence-informed principles, background information on technology-facilitated violence and abuse and practical strategies for implementing safe, inclusive workshops for survivors of technology-facilitated violence.
Handbook for facilitators
Through extensive research and consultations with survivors of technology-facilitated violence, VAW practitioners, researchers, facilitators and other experts, MediaSmarts has developed a facilitation handbook: Trauma- and Violence-Informed Digital Media Literacy Education: A Handbook for Facilitators to summarize key background information, principles and promising practices for implementing a trauma-informed approach in digital media literacy education. The handbook includes a two-page tip sheet, which summarizes promising practices, key definitions, and resources facilitators can refer to for further reading on TVI approaches.
Reports
Moving On: Digital Empowerment and Literacy Skills for Survivors Needs Assessment Report
22 June 2023
In this report, we detail the methodology and results of a needs assessment we conducted in February and March 2023 to understand the current needs and concerns of survivors and practitioners regarding addressing and preventing technology-facilitated violence and abuse in Canada.
31 March 2026
This report shares findings from MediaSmarts’ four-year intervention research project: Moving On: Digital Empowerment and Literacy Skills for Survivors (MODELSS), which developed and evaluated the Resilience through DigitalSmarts program. Delivered in shelters and transitional homes across Canada, the program provides trauma- and violence-informed digital media literacy training to help survivors of technology-facilitated violence and abuse build online safety skills and confidence. The report is structured around the project’s four phases (adaptation, implementation, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization), outlining the approaches, methods, outcomes and lessons learned at each stage. It highlights key findings from the evaluation of the Resilience through DigitalSmarts program and concludes with reflections on what works well in trauma-informed digital media literacy interventions, as well as strategic priorities for addressing tech-facilitated violence at individual, interpersonal, community and systems levels.
Infographics
What Works Well in Trauma-Informed Digital Media Literacy Interventions
A visual summary of key practices for designing and delivering trauma- and violence-informed digital media literacy programs.
Strategic Priorities for Coordinated Action
A visual overview of the key priorities needed to strengthen prevention and response efforts addressing technology-facilitated violence.
The program was made possible thanks to funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s investment Preventing Gender-Based Violence – The Health Perspective.