Encountering Racist and Sexist Content Online

Bigotry, in its various forms, has been with us for a long time – at least since the Greeks coined the word “barbarian” to mean “anyone who isn’t us,” and likely longer – so it’s not surprising that racism, sexism and other prejudices have found a home on the Internet. MediaSmarts’ new report Young Canadians in a Wired World: Encountering Racist and Sexist Content Online looks at how often Canadian youth are exposed to prejudice, how it makes them feel and how they respond to it.

Online Hate

With a little help from my friends

Third entry in a series looks at sites that help users create content. In the last instalment of this series we looked at some of examples of user-created media such as mashups, fan movies and machinima.

Internet & Mobile, Media Production, Resources, Video Games

Four Steps to Getting Better Political and Election News

  1. Broaden your news diet. Probably the most important thing you can do is make sure that you’re not only getting news that confirms what you already believe. At the same time, it’s important not to “overcorrect” and seek out sources that have a totally opposite bias from yours, which will almost certainly just make you angry and reinforce your current opinions. Instead, find sources from a more moderate, different point of view. 

    Authenticating Information

Algorithmic Awareness: Conversations with Young Canadians about Artificial Intelligence and Privacy

This blog was written by Samantha McAleese and three youth participants – Sahil, Erin, and Kate (pseudonyms used to maintain anonymity).

Reflections on Conducting Qualitative Research During a Pandemic

What comes to mind when you hear the word algorithm? Can you explain how machine learning works? Do you have any privacy or data collection concerns regarding the increased reliance on artificial intelligence? These are just a few of the questions that we asked young people in our recent qualitative research project Algorithmic Awareness: Conversations with Young Canadians about Artificial Intelligence and Privacy. From November 2020 to January 2021, we facilitated eight focus groups with 22 youth ages 13 to 17, where we combined game-based learning with discussion and reflection to gain insight into how young Canadians understand the relationship between artificial intelligence, algorithms, and privacy.

Internet & Mobile, Privacy

Outcome Chart - Prince Edward Island - Health Education Grade 1

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the Prince Edward Island Grade 1 Health Education curriculum with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Outcome Chart - Prince Edward Island - Health Education Grade 2

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

Outcome Chart - Nova Scotia - Health Education Grade 3

Outcome Chart - Nova Scotia - Health Education Grade 3

Outcome Chart - Newfoundland and Labrador - Experiencing Music 2200

Outcome Chart - Newfoundland and Labrador - Experiencing Music 2200

Outcome Chart - British Columbia - Applied Design, Skills and Technologies 4-5

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the BC Applied Design, Skills and Technologies 4-5 curriculum, with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Outcome Chart - British Columbia - Drama 10

Curricular Competencies

Explore and create

  • Explore and create dramatic works to express ideas and emotions
  • Explore dramatic works through presentation or performance
  • Develop a repertoire of dramatic skills and techniques through presentation or performance
  • Develop performance skills in a variety of contexts
  • Intentionally select and combine drama conventions
  • Experiment with a range of props, processes, and technologies
  • Create dramatic works with an intended audience in mind
  • Impro