Episode 60 | Building Digital Literacy Skills in Kids and Teens

In this episode, Janet sits down for a second time with Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts, to explore how parents, teachers, and young people can build stronger digital literacy skills and avoid harmful or unwanted online content.

Matthew is the author of many of MediaSmarts’ lessons, parent materials, and interactive resources. He has also served on expert panels for the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Sexual Information and Education Council of Canada, and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

In this conversation, Matthew shares practical strategies for keeping kids safe online at every age, from using parental controls and active content curation with younger children to teaching teens how to set their own filters and make mindful choices about what they consume.

He also explores how developmental changes affect kids’ online vulnerability and why ongoing communication, empathy, and clear “no-freak-out” rules help keep kids talking to parents when problems arise.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or professional supporting youth, this episode offers grounded, actionable insights to help families navigate digital life with awareness and confidence.

To explore MediaSmarts’ resources for parents and educators, visit ⁠www.mediasmarts.ca