CIRA and MediaSmarts, a not-for-profit are working together to provide digital literacy resources that help Canadian youth live healthy online lives
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Whether at home or at school, most Canadian youth are constantly connected to the internet. Digital natives \u2013 a term used to describe a person brought up during the age of digital technology \u2013 are inherently good at using technology and the internet to explore new topics, solve problems, and play games. But there is another layer to digital literacy that doesn\u2019t come so naturally. In order to safely navigate the online world, it\u2019s up to the teachers and parents to educate youth on what information is considered private and identifying what is a trusted source of information.<\/p>\n
Enhancing Canadians\u2019 usage and understanding of the internet \u2013 particularly in the area of digital literacy \u2013 has been at the heart of CIRA\u2019s Community Investment Program since its inception in 2010.<\/p>\n
CIRA\u2019s 2018 report The gap between us: Perspectives on building a better online Canada<\/em><\/a>, surveyed 70 grassroots organizations across the country working on the frontlines of Canada\u2019s internet, and digital literacy was identified as a key gap. Nearly a quarter of survey respondents cited understanding personal digital security as their top concern, followed by basic internet navigation skills and the ability to recognize a credible online source.<\/p>\n With the digital landscape quickly changing, CIRA believes digital literacy is more important now than ever.<\/p>\n This year, CIRA has pledged its support<\/a> for the next phase of a unique, multi-year research project that investigates the online behaviours of Canadian youth. CIRA and MediaSmarts, Canada\u2019s centre for digital and media literacy, have partnered for nearly a decade on digital literacy projects.<\/p>\n As the .CA registry, we want to support programs that enhance Canadians\u2019 knowledge and skills to use the internet effectively and safely. Funding this research is CIRA\u2019s latest contribution in advancing the fact-based understanding of digital literacy in Canada. We\u2019ve supported MediaSmarts in developing tools and resources to equip teachers, parents and kids with the skills they need to use the internet safely.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a long standing history with teachers across Canada and they were telling us that there\u2019s a lack of coherent curriculum around what digital literacy meant and they felt unprepared to teach this in the classroom,\u201d said Dr. Kara Brisson-Boivin, director of research at MediaSmarts. <\/p>\n CIRA has supported MediaSmarts\u2019 projects through our Community Investment Program<\/a>, which funds projects across Canada doing good for and through the internet.<\/p>\n Here are four projects we\u2019ve partnered on that are helping improve Canadian digital literacy:<\/p>\n This series of cybersecurity resources<\/a> helps students and adults develop safe online practices. The lesson plan and cybersecurity tip sheets<\/a> are designed for elementary school students.<\/p>\n CIRA provided financial support for the national student survey<\/a>. Its findings are now used to create evidence-informed internet policies in Canadian schools and public libraries, and to inform public policy and standards such as the Canadian Paediatric Society\u2019s screen time recommendations. MediaSmarts has presented findings from YCWW research to many government departments and agencies, including the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Status of Women on the topic of girls and cyber-violence in 2016.<\/p>\nCIRA and MediaSmarts: An evolving partnership<\/h2>\n
Winning the Cybersecurity Game lesson plan<\/h3>\n
Young Canadians in a Wired World (YCWW) Phase III research<\/h3>\n
USE, UNDERSTAND & CREATE: A Digital Literacy Framework for Canadian Schools<\/h3>\n