Talking to kids about racial stereotypes

Racial stereotypes abound on television, and children's programming is no exception. The turban-wearing bad guy, the brainy Asian, and the Black basketball whiz are just a few of the stereotypes reinforced in children's cartoons, films and TV shows. Spotting these stereotypes is often difficult for children; to them, the tomahawk-wielding Indian or the Asian karate expert is a familiar, easily-understood and often funny character. So how do you help children understand these images for what they are – oversimplified, generalizations?

Quebec Competencies Chart - Can You Spot the Ad?

Quebec Competencies Chart - Can You Spot the Ad?

New Brunswick - Visual Arts 9

Outcome Chart - New Brunswick - Visual Arts 9

What is this cereal box saying? Printable activity sheet 

This printable activity sheet introduces basic media literacy skills and concepts and is suitable for use in homes, schools and libraries. It can be completed independently, but children will learn more if you discuss the activity with them. Younger children may need help reading the instructions and completing the activity. 

Outcome Chart - Newfoundland and Labrador - Health Education Grade 3

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the Newfoundland and Labrador Grade 3 Health Education with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Media Education and Body Image

There’s significant evidence that media education can counter unrealistic media representations of men’s and women’s bodies. For example, a 2015 study found that girls as young as Grade 5 who had received media literacy education in school had higher self-esteem and body satisfaction.

ESAC and MNet Team Up for Media Literacy Week: Create Helpful Tip Sheet for Parents and Gamers

November 2, 2009,  Toronto - The Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) and the Media Awareness Network (MNet) have collaborated on an informative Tip Sheet for Parents and Gamers just in time for Media Literacy Week.

Video and computer games have become a basic part of kids' lives.  According to ESAC's 2009 Essential Facts about the Canadian computer and video game industry, 57 per cent of kids aged 6-12 and 42 per cent of teens aged 13-17 play video games a few days per week. 

A Day in the Life of the Jos

A Day in the Life of the Jos is a comprehensive digital citizenship tutorial that prepares students in grades six to eight to deal with all of the issues they face when using digital technology – from online privacy, to cyberbullying, to recognizing what’s real and what’s fake online.

Media Literacy Week 2022 kicks off, bringing with it the first-ever Digital Citizen Day

Canada’s 17^th annual Media Literacy Week starts today and it’s an opportunity to put the spotlight on digital media literacy, and how essential it is that we all know how to use, understand and engage with the digital media we use every day.