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Family Online Rules
MediaSmarts’ research has shown that kids with household rules about Internet use are less likely to do things like post their contact information, visit gambling sites, seek out online pornography and talk to strangers online. Having a family agreement or set of rules for using the Internet is also a great way for parents and kids to work together on how to be safe, wise and responsible online.
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Helping kids cope with media coverage of war and traumatic events
The intense media coverage that accompanies traumatic events, such as war, acts of terrorism and natural disasters, can be very disturbing. Certain young people are particularly vulnerable and some can be seriously distressed simply by watching replays of such events.
Parents, educators, health practitioners and others who work with kids can help to lessen anxieties arising from the coverage of catastrophic events.
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Talking to kids about the news
It's important to pay close attention to what children see in the news because studies have shown that kids are more afraid of violence in news coverage than in any other media content. By creating a proper perspective and context for news and current events programs, we can help kids develop the critical thinking skills they need to understand news stories and the news industry.
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Personal Wellness 9-12
In the High School Block, students learn to “make informed decisions, recognize personal health and growth, develop positive relationships, and be an advocate for inclusivity.” Connections to digital media literacy are found throughout the curriculum.
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Research and Evaluation - Our Approach
Most of our research projects involve working with children and youth from diverse communities across Canada. We design projects that create safe spaces for young people to share their thoughts, experiences, concerns, and solutions about digital media literacy issues. We aim to empower young Canadians, providing them with knowledge and skills that they can take with them as they continue to navigate the online world and digital technology.