CIRA and MediaSmarts launch new cyber safety resource for Canadian educators at RALLY 2026

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire CIRA and MediaSmarts launch new cyber safety resource for Canadian educators at RALLY 2026Author of the article:New “Shields Up For Cyber Safety” lesson plan will help students build practical skills to navigate online risks and stay safer onlineTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountOTTAWA, Ontario, Oct. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, CIRA and MediaSmarts announced the launch of Shields Up For Cyber Safety, a new classroom resource designed to help Canadian educators give students the practical skills and confidence they need to stay safer online. The new resource is being unveiled today at RALLY 2026, bringing together MediaSmarts’ expertise in digital media literacy with CIRA’s cybersecurity expertise to give educators a practical way to teach cyber safety in the classroom.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Developed by MediaSmarts in collaboration with CIRA, Shields Up For Cyber Safety is a lesson plan for students in Grades 7–9 that invites them to step into the role of “digital safety strategists.” Drawing on their own online experiences, students identify common security risks and explore practical tools and strategies they can use to manage them.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThrough guided discussion, independent practice and team-based activities, students match different cybersecurity strategies and tools—including the free CIRA Canadian Shield app—to the risks they are designed to help prevent.The lesson takes a strengths-first, autonomy-supportive approach to online safety, helping students build confidence, critical thinking and practical skills they can apply in their everyday digital lives. With connections to provincial and territorial curricula, the resource is designed to give educators a practical way to bring cybersecurity and digital safety conversations into the classroom.The collaboration brings together MediaSmarts’ expertise in digital media literacy education with CIRA’s work to help Canadians protect themselves online. The resource will be developed in both English and French and made available through MediaSmarts and CIRA.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Shields Up For Cyber Safety is a new lesson plan for students in Grades 7–9 focused on practical cybersecurity and online safety skills.Students will learn to recognize potential security risks associated with different online activities and apply tools and strategies to help protect themselves.The lesson introduces students to CIRA Canadian Shield, CIRA’s free cybersecurity solution, as one of the tools they can explore to strengthen their online safety.The lesson uses a strengths-first, autonomy-supportive approach designed to build students’ confidence, critical thinking and practical digital safety skills.The resource is available in both English and French, with connections to provincial and territorial curricula.“Keeping Canadians safe online takes both knowledge and the right tools. MediaSmarts is helping young Canadians build the skills to recognize risks and make safer choices, while CIRA provides free tools like Canadian Shield to help protect them. By bringing education and technology together in the classroom, we’re helping students develop the skills and habits that will keep them safer online for years to come.”This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.— Jon Ferguson, Vice President, Cybersecurity & DNS, CIRA“Young people care about their safety online, and we want them to be empowered with the lifelong skills they’ll need to protect themselves in these spaces. Shields Up For Cyber Safety provides educators with an easy and fun way to teach online safety in the classroom, and we’re proud to be partnering with CIRA to provide this important resource to educators and youth across Canada.”— Kathryn Ann Hill, Executive, MediaSmartsAccess Shields Up For Cyber Safety: mediasmarts.ca/shields-upLearn more about CIRA Canadian Shield: cira.ca/shieldLearn more about MediaSmarts: mediasmarts.caCIRA is the national not-for-profit best known for managing the .CA domain on behalf of all Canadians. As a leader in Canada’s internet ecosystem, CIRA offers a wide range of products, programs and services designed to make the internet a secure and accessible space for all. CIRA represents Canada on both national and international stages to support its goal of building a trusted internet for Canadians by helping shape the future of the internet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.MediaSmarts is Canada’s bilingual centre for digital media literacy. For 30 years, the charitable organization has helped Canadians develop the critical thinking skills they need to use, understand and engage with media confidently. MediaSmarts works with educators, families, youth, researchers, community organizations, industry and government through research, educational resources, programs and national awareness initiatives. MediaSmarts is also home to the iconic house hippo campaign.Director of Marketing & CommunicationsThis advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. 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