CIRA partners with MediaSmarts on new research into the digital lives of Canadian youth

OTTAWA, April 10, 2019 – The partnership supports pioneering research into the digital lives of Canadian families

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is pledging its support for the next phase of a unique, multi-year research project that investigates the online behaviours of Canadian youth. This platinum sponsorship of $82,600 is CIRA’s latest in support of national not-for-profit organization MediaSmarts, Canada’s centre for digital and media literacy.

Wattpad

We were delighted to welcome Wattpad as a Silver Sponsor of our organization in September 2018.

In 2019, Wattpad partnered with MediaSmarts to develop their new Wattpad Safety Portal, giving their users (or any parent or guardian) safety tips and information to help everyone have the best possible experience on their platform.

How we can empower youth to push back against hate online

In its early days, the internet was often spoken of as a free marketplace of ideas, where everyone’s views and thoughts could be shared and compete on an equal footing. Today it’s an essential tool for accessing information and services, but its value as a vehicle of civic engagement and debate has in many ways declined.

Young Canadians Pushing Back Against Hate Online

MediaSmarts conducted a survey of 1,000 youth ages 12 to 16 years old to better understand their attitudes and experiences with casual prejudice online; specifically, the motivations and external factors that influence their decisions whether or not to intervene. Study results uncover that youth experiences with online casual prejudice are common yet many youth do not respond because they don’t know what to do to make a difference. This research is a call for more effective interventions that will prepare, engage, and empower youth to push back against hate online.

Study finds only 10% of Canadian youth intervene when they see hate online

Platforms and parents both have critical roles to play in changing cultures of hatred for young people online

OTTAWA, May 29, 2019 – While Canadian youth think it’s important to speak up when they see hate online, only 10% frequently do so, according to a new research study conducted by MediaSmarts, Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy.

Young Canadians Pushing Back Against Hate Online

MediaSmarts conducted a survey of 1,000 youth ages 12 to 16 years old to better understand their attitudes and experiences with casual prejudice online; specifically, the motivations and external factors that influence their decisions whether or not to intervene. Study results uncover that youth experiences with online casual prejudice are common yet many youth do not respond because they don’t know what to do to make a difference. This research is a call for more effective interventions that will prepare, engage, and empower youth to push back against hate online.

How to push back against hate online

Most kids see hate and prejudice online, and most of them say it's important to do something about it. But whether you've seen a video that's full of racist conspiracy theories or have just seen a friend share an offensive meme, it can be hard to know what to do about it.

Talking to kids about hate online

Most kids see hate and prejudice in places like games, social networks, and online videos. They also say that they want to do something about it when they see it, but don't know what to do.

Digital Media Experiences are Shaped by the Tools We Use: The Disconnection Challenge

In this lesson, students consider the role of technology and media in their lives and then spend a week either tracking or limiting their media use. They then share their experiences and discuss how the ways that digital media tools are made may cause us to use them differently (or simply more often). Finally, students draw on those insights to create a mindful media use plan. In an optional extension activity, they interview other students for a video exploring their experiences and reflections over the course of the project.

The Invisible Machine: Big Data and You

In this lesson, students examine a fictional social network profile to learn how online platforms collect data about their users. They then read an article that explains how platforms use this data and explores some of the issues this raises. Finally, they create a mind map of their own online data profile and reflect on how the data they post may be collected and used by others.