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A number of organizations offer resources, research, and background information on media literacy and internet safety, including tips for teachers, parents, and caregivers.
Media Literacy Center of Media and Public Affairs The Center for Media and Public Affairs is a nonpartisan research and education organization that conducts scientific studies of the news and entertainment media.
Center for Media Literacy The Center for Media Literacy is the largest producer and distributor of media literacy resources in the U.S. Its site features a comprehensive online catalog of media literacy books and products, along with workshop information and a "reading room" of articles.
Children Now The child advocacy organization Children Now uses media as a tool to improve children’s lives. It releases reports on children’s issues and is a partner in the Talking with Kids website, which helps parents discuss tough issues with their youngsters.
Common Sense Media
Dedicated to improving media and entertainment choices for kids and families, Common Sense Media provides specific content information and age recommendations for all the media kids consume - movies, TV, music, videogames, websites and books, as well as tips and tools about creating a family media diet, and research and news about the media’s impact on children.
Media Awareness Network The Canadian site Media Awareness Network is full of media literacy information and activities for parents, teachers, and children.
Media Education Lab at Temple UniversityThe Lab is a leading community outreach and research program in media literacy education. Among the resources on the MEL website are free curriculum materials and published research on media education.
Media Literacy Clearinghouse Created by noted media literacy authority Frank Baker, the Clearinghouse is a rich source of links for information and activities including articles, lesson plans, activities, and research findings.
National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE)NAMLE (formerly the Alliance for a Media Literate America) is a membership organization of media education practitioners. Its mission is to stimulate growth in media literacy education in the United States by providing national leadership, advocacy, networking, and information exchange.
National Institute on Media and Family The National Institute on Media and Family provides research, information, and resources about the impact of media on children and families, including an annual review and rating of video games.
National Telemedia Council
The National Telemedia Council promotes media literacy through workshops and Telemedium: The Journal of Media Literacy.
New Mexico Media Literacy Project The New Mexico Media Literacy Project is a grassroots, activist organization that offers The State of Media Education newsletter, workshops, trainings, CD-ROMs, and other resources.
Internet Safety Bullies, crooks and predators existed in the real world long before the internet came along. Just as we teach children not to talk to strangers, we have to teach them to move safely in the online world. The information in these sites can help you teach children how to protect themselves and their privacy.
Point Smart. Click Safe.Today’s kids know how to use the technology, but do they understand internet safety concerns, cyber ethical dilemmas and how to think critically about the media and technology they use?
Point Smart. Click Safe., a new cable initiative, helps you teach them how to be smart, safe and savvy in the digital world.
Parenting Moves Online: Parents’ Internet Actions and Attitudes, 2007, a new Cable in the Classroom/Common Sense Media poll conducted by Harris Interactive® shows that the majority of parents in the United States are taking action to ensure their children are safe and responsible while using the Internet.
Parenting the MySpace Generation A 2006 poll commissioned by Cable in the Classroom reports that 9 out of 10 parents think they should have a lot of responsibility for ensuring kids' internet safety.
Learn more about the findings and recommendations from this poll.
Cybercrime The US Department of Justice's Cybercrime site presents tips for online safety and privacy.
Common Sense Media Dedicated to improving media and entertainment choices for kids and families, Common Sense Media provides specific content information and age recommendations for all the media kids consume - movies, TV, music, videogames, Web sites and books.You can search for ratings by media type and kid’s age. The site also offers tips and tools about creating a family media diet, and research and news about the media’s impact on children.
Kidz Privacy Created by the Federal Trade Commission, Kidz Privacy is based on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and presents crucial information about protecting children’s online privacy. The site includes links to numerous government resources.
FBI's Parents Guide to Internet Safety An overview of potential online risks and steps you can take to protect your children. The guide includes signs that a child might be at risk online and what you should do if you suspect your child is communicating with a sexual predator online.
GetNetWise The Internet Education Foundation’s GetNetWise helps families find the resources they need to make informed decisions about using the Internet. The site includes a safety guide, recommended sites for kids, and information about Internet filters. Topics include how to:
- Keep children safe online
- Stop unwanted e-mail and spam
- Protect your computer from hackers and viruses
- Keep your personal info private.
Internet Keep Safe Coalition The Internet Keep Safe Coalition teaches basic rules of Internet safety to children and adults through an animated character, Faux Paws the techno cat, in online stories and in books. Teacher materials, including worksheets and lesson ideas are available online. Parent materials include a video series on safety and four lessons designed for use in a family setting:
- Meet Faux Paw the Techno Cat
- What to do When Something Online Worries You
- Bullying and the Myth of Internet Anonymity
- Our Family’s Safety Contract
i-SAFE i-SAFE America's mission is to educate and empower youth to safely and responsibly take control of their Internet experience. i-SAFE offers dynamic, standards-based K-12 curriculum free of charge to educate students on how to avoid dangerous or unlawful behavior. The organization also offers community outreach programs to extend Internet safety beyond the classroom. You can sign up for training classes and programs on Internet safety through iSafe’s VirtualTraining Academy.
National Cyber Security Alliance provides free and non-technical cyber security and safety resources, including a “How Safe Are You” quiz and the top eight cyber security practices.
NetSmartz Initiative from National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Boys & Girls Club teaches children how to stay safer online through interactive, educational games, and activities. The site offers videos on a variety of topics, along with activity cards and related news articles. Videos include:
- Cyberbullying (a three-part series) about victims, perpetrators and the loss of friendships
- Julie’s Journey, about a girl who left home for three weeks with a convicted murderer she met online
- Angela’s Experience - what to do if someone is harassing you online>
OnGuard Online OnGuard Online offers practical tips and information from the federal government to help consumers learn about and avoid becoming victims of Internet scams. Topics include ways to minimize problems when making online purchases, avoiding phishing scams (with a fun Flash animation on how to tell if you’re being phished), and defending cell phones and PDA’s against attack.
