Find Resources
![](/themes/mediasmarts_2021/img/lg/blog.png)
Taking Care of Things
When we bought a cellphone for our son, we worried. We worried about how it would affect his brain to be hooked into social media all the time. We worried about online bullying and if he’d be respectful and responsible. We worried that he’d become a video screen monster who never looked up and only grunted in response to our questions about his day at the dinner table.![](/themes/mediasmarts_2021/img/lg/blog.png)
Teen Focus in a Many Media World
My middle daughter, age 13, read the novel The Outsiders last year. She loved it, and like any good mom who was raised in the 1980s, I bought her a DVD copy of the classic movie. She loved the film version, too.![](/themes/mediasmarts_2021/img/lg/tip_sheet.png)
Authentication and citizenship
Being well-informed – and being careful to only share good information – are essential parts of being an active citizen in a democracy. It’s important to think before you share political information with family and friends – especially during an election.![](/themes/mediasmarts_2021/img/lg/blog.png)
Driving and Touch Screens
Our son turned 15 last month, and we’ve had plenty of wary, nervous comments since then about how driving is just around the corner. Next year, he’ll be getting his beginner’s licence! Just 11 more months before he’s behind the wheel!![](/themes/mediasmarts_2021/img/lg/blog.png)
The Spotify Problem
We have a few smartphone rules in our house: no phones after 9:30 p.m., no phones at the dinner table or other family events, and no phones in bedrooms.![](/themes/mediasmarts_2021/img/lg/game.png)
Data Defenders (Grades 4-6)
Data Defenders is an interactive game that teaches children and pre-teens the concept of personal information and its economic value, and introduces them to ways to manage and protect their personal information on the websites and apps they enjoy![](/themes/mediasmarts_2021/img/lg/blog.png)
Raising a Generation of Data Defenders
How can you help pre-teens understand the value of their personal information and empower them to take steps to manage and protect it? Data Defenders, an educational game for children ages 10 to12, lifts the curtain on data collection by showing how apps and games can find out all kinds of things about them and by providing steps they can take to control the collection of personal information online.![](/themes/mediasmarts_2021/img/lg/guide.png)
Data Defenders Guide for Parents
The Data Defenders game teaches children and pre-teens about personal information and its value, and introduces them to the different ways they can manage and protect their personal information on the websites and apps they enjoy.![](/themes/mediasmarts_2021/img/lg/blog.png)
Teens Losing Sleep to Tech
As a kid, did you ever hide a flashlight under your pillow? Then pull it out after you were supposed to be asleep, so you could sneak in another half-hour of reading? I did that. A lot.![](/themes/mediasmarts_2021/img/lg/blog.png)