| MediaSmarts

Understanding Cyberbullying : Virtual vs. Physical Worlds - Lesson

In this lesson, students explore the verbal and visual cues that we rely on to understand how other people are feeling. They then consider the differences between online and offline communication and discuss how these differences may make it difficult to understand the effect our words and actions have on others online. Students then identify strategies for mitigating these aspects of online communication and apply those strategies to create a media product in which they are used successfully.

Cyberbullying, Digital Citizenship, Internet & Mobile

Introduction to Cyberbullying: Avatars and Identity - Lesson

Because of the ways that digital media leave out many of the cues that prompt us to feel empathy, it is easy for young people to sometimes forget that real people – with real feelings – are at the heart of online conversations. In this lesson, students are provided with opportunities to explore this concept and discuss the importance of using empathy and common sense when talking to others online.

Cyberbullying, Digital Citizenship, Digital Health, Internet & Mobile, Online Ethics

Hate or Debate? - Lesson

In this lesson, students learn about the difference between legitimate debate on a political issue and arguments that are based on hate.

Digital Citizenship, Internet & Mobile, Online Ethics, Online Hate

Marketing to Teens: Talking Back

This lesson helps teens become active consumers by encouraging them to 'talk back' to advertisers when they have concerns.

Marketing & Consumerism

Facing Media Violence: Counting & Discussing Violence on the Screen

This lesson helps children become aware of the types of violence that appear in the media, the frequency with which these acts occur, and how they respond to these acts. It begins with a guided discussion about the different types of violence and then, how violence is portrayed in the media. Using worksheets, students then survey the shows they enjoy for acts of violence and then, as a class, compile and discuss their findings.

Television, Violence

Hate 2.0 - Lesson

This lesson is designed to be delivered after students have completed at least one of the following lessons: Thinking About Hate, Scapegoating and Othering and Hate or Debate. In groups, students research an online environment (such as social networking sites) and a particular example of that environment (such as Facebook) to learn the issues, strategies and tools relating to online hate in that environment.

Digital Citizenship, Internet & Mobile, Online Hate

Scapegoating and Othering - Lesson

In this lesson, students develop a deeper understanding of scapegoating and othering and how these factors may contribute to the promotion of hatred and intolerance.

Digital Citizenship, Internet & Mobile, Journalism & News, Online Hate, Stereotyping

Online Propaganda and the Proliferation of Hate

In this lesson students learn about the ways that propaganda techniques are used to promote hatred and intolerance online.

Authenticating Information, Digital Citizenship, Internet & Mobile, Online Hate

Free Speech and the Internet - Lesson

In this lesson students learn about the inherent tension within democratic societies between freedom of expression and freedom from hatred. They also learn how Canada has addressed these issues within the Criminal Code of Canada, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and human rights legislation in Canada, then discuss different methods that platforms could use to moderate hate speech.

Internet & Mobile, Online Hate