Welcome to the Web site of the Media Awareness Network (MNet), home to one of the world's most comprehensive collections of media literacy and digital literacy resources. This section is intended to introduce you to our organization and its work.
Who we are
MNet is a Canadian non-profit organization that has been pioneering the development of media literacy and digital literacy programs since its incorporation in 1996. Members of our team have backgrounds in education, journalism, mass communications and cultural policy. Working out of Ottawa, we promote media literacy and digital literacy by producing education and awareness programs and resources, working in partnership with Canadian and international organizations, and speaking to audiences across Canada and around the world.
The idea behind our work
MNet focuses its efforts on equipping adults with information and tools to help young people understand how the media work, how the media may affect their lifestyle choices and the extent to which they, as consumers and citizens, are being well informed.
Our programs and resources
More than 80 per cent of MNet’s programs and resources are a public asset and are freely available through MNet’s Web site in both official languages and to urban, rural, remote, northern and Aboriginal communities. The resources are developed to reflect Canadian values and culture, current public policy, and education frameworks and are supported by original research.
- Web-based resources
MNet's Web site offers media literacy and digital literacy materials on a wide range of media, including Internet, television, film, video games, newspapers, advertising and popular music. The For Parents section offers tips for talking to kids about media content and advice on managing media use in the home. The For Teachers section includes over 200 lessons and supporting materials aligned with provincial and territorial media education outcomes for Grades K-12. The Media Issues section offers in-depth research and essays on media-related topics such as stereotyping, media violence, information privacy, Canadian cultural policies and online hate.
- Digital literacy programs
MNet began studying the implications of the Internet for young people in 1996, and in 1999 launched Web Awareness Canada. The program uses a unique delivery model based on partnerships with public libraries, the education sector, parent groups, and community organizations.
Its primary focus is to bring teachers and librarians up to speed on the issues related to children's Internet use. The program comprises licensed professional development materials and free classroom resources. The Web Awareness program topics include online safety, ethical use, electronic privacy, authenticating and evaluating information, marketing to young people and critical thinking approaches to Internet use based on developmental ages and stages.
MNet has expanded the Web Awareness program's scope to include Internet literacy resources designed for use by young people (i.e. educational games) and community organizations (i.e. a Cybercitizen badge program developed jointly by MNet and Girl Guides of Canada).
- Research
MNet's Young Canadians in a Wired World (YCWW) longitudinal research program is Canada's largest and most comprehensive investigation of the role of the Internet in the lives of children and youth. YCWW phases have included:
- Phase I (2000- 2001) – tracked and investigated the behaviours, attitudes, and opinions of Canadian children and youth with respect to their use of the Internet
- Phase II (2003-2005) – included current trends and recommendations and provided a call to action for parents, educators and others working with youth to address the challenges and rich opportunities afforded by new media to its youngest users
- Phase lll – currently in the funding development stage
Our supporters and partners
MNet's work is supported primarily through contributions from private sector sponsors and benefactors, contracts and contribution agreements from the federal government and other funding sources, and from the licensing of media literacy and digital literacy resources for professional development and classroom use.
To deliver our programs, we work in partnership with some of Canada's leading education, library and community organizations who are committed to helping children and youth acquire media literacy and digital literacy skills. Our partners include Canadian Library Association, Canadian Teachers' Federation, Canadian Association of Principals, PREVNet and the Association for Media Literacy.
