Games - Introduction

Unlike movies or books, games are unique because they focus on agency and interactivity, meaning player do things rather than just watching or listening.

Outcome Chart - Newfoundland and Labrador - Health Education Grade 2

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the Newfoundland and Labrador Grade 2 Health Education with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Sparking conversation with competition television

Finding programming that the entire family enjoys, with kids at all ages, can sometimes be difficult. When the kids were little, it was great when we found a cartoon that we all enjoyed. The same challenge has continued as the kids have gotten older. With preteens and teens, their television tastes change (I have a child who loves a good fantasy action show or movie, and another who much prefers comedy). However, we have discovered one type of programming we all enjoy: reality shows. Especially those with a competitive element to them (although transformative TV is popular, too). 

Drawing the Privacy Line

I read an interesting Facebook post the other day, written by a teenaged girl. She said quite firmly that it was important for parents to not have their children’s passwords, for their phone or social media accounts. She talked about building trust and how insisting on knowing your kids’ passwords is the first step to them sneaking around online and getting involved in things you wish they wouldn’t.

Managing media with tweens (10-13 years old)

Helping Kids Build Safe and Smart Digital Habits

There are four main strategies to help kids become resilient to online risks. We can:

Curate our kids’ media experiences;

Control who can access our kids and their data;

Co-view media with our kids;

and be our kids’ media Coaches.

The Battle for Community TV

If asked to think about community television (or public-access television, as a similar institution is called in the US) most people would probably conjure up the movie Wayne's World or its real-life analogue, The Tom Green Show: TV made by people who would, under normal circumstances, never appear on TV, shot in someone's basement or living room. Or perhaps they'd think of earnest, low-budget shows that showcase community events that wouldn't otherwise be televised, such as ethnic festivals or the Canadian Improv Games.

Top Online Safety Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Start an Open Dialogue. Keep talking with your kids about what they do online every day in a curious, not prying, way. Ask open-ended questions like "What's your favorite thing about this app?" so they feel you are interested in their lives. If they know you won't judge them, they will be much more likely to come to you when something goes wrong.

Impact of Media on Body Image

Though they are by no means the only factor, media representations of weight and body shape are a major element in body image concerns. Media of all kinds frequently promote weight stigma, most often representing weight as an individual responsibility.[1] Time spent on social media and watching television[2] and exposure to manipulated photos on social media[3] have all been linked to negative body image or increased concern with appearance.

The Basics of Verifying Information - Introduction

Canadians consider online misinformation one of the most serious threats facing the country, on a par with climate change and ahead of issues such as infectious disease, concerns about the global economy and cybersecurity.