When you hear “media” or “AI,” your mind might jump to robots, clickbait headlines, or hours of doomscrolling. But for us youth, it’s not just tech, it’s life. Every notification, every video, every post is part of how we connect with friends, discover new ideas, and even figure out who we are. Social media isn’t just entertainment anymore; it’s the backdrop of our daily lives.That’s why Media Literacy Week matters. It’s not about having all the right answers (spoiler: none of us do). It’s about starting real conversations. Youth and parents are learning side by side how to navigate this digital world. What makes the biggest difference isn’t perfection; it’s open minds, honest talks, and support when we need it most.
What Media & AI Look Like to Us
Picture this: you open your feed after a long day, and suddenly it feels like everyone else is living their best life. Perfect trips, perfect outfits, perfect grades. That’s not an accident. Algorithms are designed to keep us scrolling, and sometimes that means showing us the stuff that makes us compare ourselves the most.
Then there’s AI. It’s like having a super-smart friend who always has an answer ready. Except sometimes that “friend” is way off. One minute it’s helping with homework, the next it’s spitting out something that doesn’t even make sense. Helpful? Yes. Confusing? Also yes.
And don’t get us started on misinformation. From fake “breaking news” to deepfakes that look almost too real, it spreads faster than we can fact-check. Half the time, you don’t even realize you’ve shared something sketchy until it’s too late.
This is the digital world we’re navigating every day. Where what’s real, what’s fake, and what’s filtered all blur together.
Four Things Parents Can Do To Support Us
At YouthSpeak, we’re proud to be collaborating with MediaSmarts, Canada’s centre for digital and media literacy, to bring you this information. MediaSmarts has been helping families, schools, and communities navigate the digital world for over 25 years. Their research shows that when parents and youth talk openly about online experiences, they build the skills and the confidence to handle media in healthier ways.
Here are four things you can do to support us:
1. Help Us Think Critically
It’s not always easy for us to know what’s real and what’s fake online. One viral post can look just as trustworthy as a news article. That’s where your guidance matters.
You can help by reminding us to pause and ask:
- Who created this?
- Why would they want me to believe it?
- Where else can I check this?
These simple questions (ones MediaSmarts also recommends) are small habits that build big critical-thinking muscles over time.
2. Encourage Healthy Boundaries
Screen time isn’t just about the number of hours; we scroll for lots of reasons: boredom, stress, loneliness, or wanting to feel connected. Balance helps more than punishment. Things like “tech-free dinners” or “no phones before bed” set clear boundaries, especially when you join us in those habits. When you lead by example, it feels less like a rule and more like a family choice.
3. Talk to Us About AI
AI is already part of our world, even when we don’t notice it. From asking ChatGPT for help with homework, to using Instagram filters, to experimenting with AI music, it’s everywhere. What we need most from you isn’t strict rules, but conversations about values.
Together, we can agree:
- Some things are too private to share with AI.
- We always need to double-check facts. It isn’t perfect.
- Some things are too private to share with AI.
4. Build Empathy & Resilience
Media isn’t neutral; it impacts how we feel. Sometimes it’s the pressure of perfect-looking lives online; other times it’s a cruel comment that stings more than we admit. You can support us by asking not only what we’re watching, but how it makes us feel. When you listen without judgment, it reminds us we’re not alone and that our feelings matter.
How YouthSpeak & MediaSmarts Can Help
At YouthSpeak, we’re proud to collaborate with MediaSmarts, Canada’s bilingual centre for digital and media literacy. Since 1996, MediaSmarts has been helping families, schools, and communities understand the digital world through research, resources, and practical guides. Together, we bring you both the stories and the tools to navigate media and AI in healthier ways.
Here’s how we can support you as parents:
1. Free, Trusted Resources You Can Use Right Away
MediaSmarts has tip sheets, guides, and conversation starters just for parents. One mom recently shared with us that after using their Digital Citizenship Guide for Parents, she finally felt confident talking to her son about online privacy. “Before, I felt like I was nagging. Now we talk about it like a team.” (mediasmarts.ca)
2. Youth-Led Presentations That Bring It to Life
At YouthSpeak, our speakers share real stories about navigating misinformation, pressure to always be online, and even the struggles with AI tools that aren’t always accurate. In presentations like Online Overdrive, we bring parents into our world, not just the headlines, but how media actually impacts us day-to-day.
3. Conversation Starters & Practical Tools
MediaSmarts’ resources, like guides on spotting deepfakes or setting balanced tech rules, are perfect for kickstarting tough talks. Pair that with YouthSpeak’s youth voice, and suddenly those “hard conversations” become easier, because you’re not doing it alone.
4. Stronger Together During Media Literacy Week
Each year, MediaSmarts leads Media Literacy Week across Canada, and YouthSpeak joins in by amplifying youth perspectives and stories. Following us during this week means you’ll hear directly from young people and get access to practical, research-based tools to support them.
Take the Next Step
- Explore free MediaSmarts resources for parents: mediasmarts.ca/parents
- Book a YouthSpeak presentation for your school or community: youthspeak.ca
- Follow both us and MediaSmarts during Media Literacy Week for fresh insights, tips, and youth voices.
YouthSpeak is a charity organization based in the GTA, Canada that conducts assemblies and interactive workshops to help increase the resiliency of youth facing challenges today. Help support our For-Youth-by-Youth projects by donating at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/i-support-youthspeak
