MediaSmarts talks...teaching boys and autistic youth about consent! Today we're joined by our partners at SIECCAN to learn about their new resources, key findings and what consent really means! Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qtqw3noJJk

Behind every award-winning film are creative choices that shape how audiences feel. Use this free lesson to introduce students to how movies communicate meaning through camera angles, colour and composition: https://ow.ly/mkUX50YraMh

It’s International Women’s Day! Help your students break stereotypes with this lesson plan examining how media portrayals of girls and women can shape attitudes about leadership and political participation: https://ow.ly/lauA50Yq7gQ

It’s #CerealDay! Meet Co-Co Crunch, a cereal mascot who needs help making a website. Along the way, kids learn how online marketing works and how brands keep them coming back. Play the game with your students: https://ow.ly/6xJ950Yq7fk

Unplugging doesn’t have to mean going off the grid. Sometimes it just means not opening three other apps when you check the weather. For the Global Day of Unplugging, here are some simple ways to reduce distraction: https://ow.ly/SKEb50Yq5Ub

Mmmmmm nutrition month is here! Studies have found that fast-food ads dominate children’s programming. Here’s a delicious free lesson for Grade 1-3 students on the lure of snack-food ads: https://ow.ly/HTpC50Ykb8C

There are some facts that you’d never guess without already knowing – like did you know polar bears have black skin? For #WoldWildlifeDay, here’s a lesson plan to teach K-3 students how they can find great info about animals (and other topics) online: https://ow.ly/9qHy50Ykb5A

Happy #WorldWildlifeDay 🐾 Wildlife… or wild fiction? See if you can tell which animal images are real and which are fake in our Break the Fake quiz: https://ow.ly/Qsyv50YkaYl

Was “digital detox” or “reduce screen time” on your New Year’s resolution list, but it’s not really happening? You’re not alone. Read the latest from our parent blogger: https://ow.ly/kCuT50YkaX6

Zero Discrimination Day is a reminder that everyday comments online can have real impact. This tip sheet shares ways to help young people recognize casual prejudice and respond safely and confidently. https://ow.ly/uUkI50YkaQm

Ahead of #WorldWildlifeDay, here’s a free Grade 7-9 students develop their verification skills, featuring our beloved house hippo: https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resources/mixed-signals-verifying-online-information

#TBT! In 1996 (before this platform even existed), we launched Canada’s first national media education website! This year we’re reflecting on 30 years of impact at MediaSmarts. We hope you’ll take a minute to learn more about our history and help us celebrate! https://ow.ly/wRTI50Ykakn

For #PinkShirtDay, let’s remember that bystanders can make a big difference. Our Grades 7–9 lesson plan and interactive tool help students practice safe, effective ways to respond when they witness bullying online: https://ow.ly/TTfo50Yk9sq#PinkShirtDay

Exciting news! MediaSmarts is proud to launch Canada’s first AI Literacy Day on March 27. Discover resources and learn how to join in: https://mediasmarts.ca/canada-ai-literacy-day #AILiteracyDay

Freedom to Read Week is a great time to talk about access, choice and respect for creators. Help kids make ethical decisions about how they access content like music, games and videos online: https://ow.ly/9g8U50Yk9mz

Here’s something to think about – with so much information out there, how do you know which sources are worth our attention? Help Grade 4-8 students know what to look for: https://ow.ly/T9SN50Yj3yB #WorldThinkingDay

What some kids call “just a joke” can really hurt. Ahead of Zero Discrimination Day (March 1st), help students learn how to recognize and respond when prejudice shows up online: https://ow.ly/k4zZ50Yi8H9

Young people are already using digital spaces to speak up and push for change. For World Day of Social Justice, use our Grades 7–9 lesson to empower students to “push back” on issues they care about: https://ow.ly/x5Wj50Yi8Au

What do children’s rights look like in a digital world? Ahead of World Day of Social Justice, this Grades 9–10 lesson gives students space to explore youth rights, media and privacy: https://ow.ly/aFpY50Yi8iW

Ahead of #PinkShirtDay on February 26, explore our collection of classroom resources and lesson plans designed to help counter cyberbullying: https://ow.ly/8sgM50YhJCi

It’s Random Acts of Kindness Day! Most kids live as much of their lives online as they do offline. These tips offer practical ways you can help them develop a moral compass to make thoughtful, ethical choices in their digital spaces: https://ow.ly/ZPqO50YgZWk

Digital devices help us stay connected with friends and family, but it’s important to know that not every online relationship is healthy. Here’s what youth should know: https://ow.ly/VWN450YgEBG

Are you fake news? Because you're too good to be true 😍🦛 Happy Valentine's Day from MediaSmarts and the house hippo. #BreaktheFake #ValentinesDay

World Radio Day is a great opportunity to explore how TV and radio are governed in Canada with your classroom. Use this free lesson plan to examine broadcasting standards, ethics, representation and how complaints are handled: https://ow.ly/okIf50Yf5GY

Talking about sexting isn’t easy, but it’s important! During Sexual Health Week, use these tips to help guide conversations with youth about sexting, digital boundaries and saying no to pressure: https://ow.ly/kyja50Yen2J #SexPlus Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

News about traumatic events can be distressing for everyone, including kids. This tip sheet helps parents support children in reducing anxieties arising from upsetting media coverage: https://ow.ly/5G4F50YcNIE

It’s the Day of Women and Girls in Science! Teach students about how science news articles are written and how to read them with a critical eye using our free lesson plan: https://ow.ly/S12g50YcNFV

Just in time for #SaferInternetDay, MediaSmarts talks youth and online harms! Watch our latest episode, featuring a discussion with Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes DIY Digital Safety on helping youth manage digital harms, age-based social media bans and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYcdkogEP9w

It’s #SaferInternetDay! Our research shows having family rules around tech reduces the risks kids are exposed to. Learn how to create family online rules here: https://ow.ly/g01Q50Yceyc

Sexual Health Week is a great time to talk about healthy and respectful relationships online. Our free lesson plan helps Grade 7-8 students recognize unhealthy behaviours and learn strategies for dealing with them: https://ow.ly/cKw950YbLsS #SexPlus Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

It’s Clean Our Your Computer Day! 🧹 Time for a quick digital cleanup, starting with the basics – password management! Here are some easy ways to make sure your passwords are strong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKLnbNtr6ik

Following #SuperBowl Sunday and during the Olympics, use this lesson plan to support a classroom discussion about sports, media and violence: https://ow.ly/We9U50Y9RjR

Bring digital media literacy to your school or community! MediaSmarts offers virtual and in-person workshops for parents, students, educators and the general public on topics like AI literacy, misinformation, online safety, digital well-being and more! 👉 Learn more: https://ow.ly/AkFU50Y9R1g

Before the #SuperBowl ads start rolling, use this free lesson plan to help students unpack the messages about drinking they see in beer and alcohol ads: https://ow.ly/YIy850Y9QWr

This Black History Month, explore the importance of self-representation by minority communities in media with this free lesson plan for Grades 9–12: https://ow.ly/IU9450Y9t3j

NEW CONSENT RESOURCES! SIECCAN’s latest digital resources are out! Picture yourself in the following scenarios…

Getting ready for the winter Olympics? This free lesson plan helps Grades 7–9 explore how and why athletes appear in advertising: https://ow.ly/pSCz50Y8L02

To mark this year’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week, here’s a free lesson plan for Grades 9–12 on how social media can affect body image and self-esteem: https://ow.ly/SKjh50Y8lol #EDAW

While many online relationships are positive, it’s important to know that some may not be good for us. Here’s what parents and trusted adults should know to help youth avoid unhealthy relationships online: https://ow.ly/h9jS50Y7GqZ

Tuning in to the Grammy awards tonight?🎵 Music is much more than sound; it’s a complex system that communicates meaning by engaging our feelings and bodies. Learn more about audio media: https://ow.ly/yYEb50Y7kRQ

The Grammy Awards are tomorrow! 🎤 Bring music videos into the classroom and explore their role in popular culture with your Grades 9–12 students. Free lesson: https://ow.ly/5iez50Y5Yn3

Knowing how to help your kids navigate AI is a challenge, but MediaSmarts is here to help. We have lots of guides for parents and caregivers to help you start the conversation – check them out here: https://ow.ly/TAQz50Y5YcN

Check out this excellent primer on machine listening from the Infoscape Research Lab, just in time for Data Privacy Day!

It’s Data Privacy Day! Want to help kids protect their privacy online? Use these tips: https://ow.ly/6VVR50Y4NXg

It’s Family Literacy Day! Want to keep up with your teens’ digital lives? The key is to have an open and ongoing conversation with them about the media they engage with! Use our family guide to navigate TikTok safely: https://ow.ly/lx2I50Y4fm4

Supporting mental well-being also means paying attention to our digital well-being. Our self-directed workshop offers parents practical strategies for building more balanced tech habits for the whole family. Start now: https://ow.ly/HEGE50Y0zXw #BellLetsTalk

Ahead of Data Privacy Week, help students understand how apps are designed to collect their data. Our free lesson teaches Grades 9-12 to recognize and resist the “dark patterns” that encourage information sharing: https://ow.ly/MiOZ50Y0666

Talking about vaping really does make a difference! Research shows kids are less likely to smoke or vape if they’ve discussed it with their parents. Use these tips to start the conversation: https://ow.ly/Iggh50XZE2u #NonSmokingWeek

New year, new learning opportunities! 🎉 Check out our updated Calendar of Awareness Days for dates you can use to integrate media literacy into your January-June lesson planning. 👉 https://ow.ly/yWHv50XY0ob

Help shape how Canada talks about sexual consent and sexting! U of T is recruiting parents/caregivers & youth (17–19) to guide a 3-year study, review interview questions and collaborate with MediaSmarts & SIECCAN to create new resources. Interested? Get in touch with [email protected] today.