Information and Media Literacy Toolkit
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Information and Media Literacy Toolkit
In his second budget address, Governor Josh Shapiro charged the Department of Education and our Office of Commonwealth Libraries with developing resources to help schools incorporate information literacy into all aspects of learning so that our youngest Pennsylvanians have the skills to navigate the world around them. As more and more Pennsylvanians turn to digital sources for news and information, it’s more important than ever that students be equipped with the skills to discern between fact and fiction online. Information literacy is a vital component of the high-quality academic standards taught across the Commonwealth. These new resources will not replace those standards. Rather, we will provide tools that schools can use to enhance existing lessons and empower the next generation of Pennsylvanians.
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Overview/Rationale
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National Events
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Commonwealth Resources
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Organizations/Online Communities
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Guides/Manuals/Toolkits
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Digital Citizenship Resources
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Fact-Checking Tools
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Educator Resources
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Navigating Online Challenges
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Family Resources
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Key Terminology
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In his second budget address, Governor Josh Shapiro charged the Department of Education and our Office of Commonwealth Libraries with developing resources to help schools incorporate information literacy into all aspects of learning so that our youngest Pennsylvanians have the skills to navigate the world around them. As more and more Pennsylvanians turn to digital sources for news and information, it’s more important than ever that students be equipped with the skills to discern between fact and fiction online. Information literacy is a vital component of the high-quality academic standards taught across the Commonwealth. These new resources will not replace those standards. Rather, we will provide tools that schools can use to enhance existing lessons and empower the next generation of Pennsylvanians.
In the digital era, media literacy is not just a skill but a necessity. It equips individuals with the ability to navigate the vast and complex media landscape, a skill that is increasingly crucial for personal, social, and professional development. Media literacy involves accessing, analyzing, evaluating, creating, and communicating using digital technologies. This multifaceted competency is not just about making informed decisions but about engaging in critical thinking and actively participating in society. It's about accurately understanding the past, appropriately contextualizing the present, and positively shaping our future.
Media literacy equips individuals with the ability to navigate and make sense of the vast and complex media landscape. This skill is increasingly crucial for personal, social, and professional development. Media literacy involves understanding the dynamics of various digital platforms, recognizing biases, and distinguishing between credible information and misinformation. It also includes the capacity to create and share content responsibly and ethically. As digital media continues to evolve, fostering media literacy is vital for cultivating informed and engaged citizens who can contribute meaningfully to the digital world.
The promotion of digital media literacy is not a solitary endeavor. It's a collective effort led by educational institutions, researchers, and organizations. They are not just developing innovative programs, resources, and policies but also fostering a sense of shared responsibility. By integrating digital media literacy into education and community programs, we ensure that individuals of all ages are equipped to thrive in an increasingly digital and media-saturated environment. This collective effort is not just crucial; it's our shared responsibility to prepare our society for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
Information literacy encompasses the following key components:
- Identifying Information Needs: Understanding what information is required to address a particular question or problem.
- Finding Information: Knowing how and where to search for the needed information using various tools and resources, such as libraries, databases, and the internet.
- Evaluating Information: Critically assessing the credibility, relevance, accuracy, and bias of the information sources. This includes understanding the difference between primary and secondary sources and recognizing authoritative versus non-authoritative information.
- Using Information: Ethically and effectively applying the gathered information to create new knowledge, make decisions, solve problems, or communicate findings. This also involves proper citation and understanding intellectual property rights to avoid plagiarism.
- Communicating Information: Sharing information in an appropriate format, such as written, oral, or multimedia, tailored to the intended audience.
Information literacy is essential in academic, professional, and personal contexts, helping individuals navigate the vast amount of information available in the digital age. It supports critical thinking, informed decision-making, and lifelong learning, enabling individuals to be more effective and responsible consumers and creators of information.
NOTE: PDE staff have reviewed the sites identified here; however, educators are advised to preview them for appropriateness for their respective classrooms. The mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by PDE.
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Each year, the third week of October is observed as Digital Citizenship Week. This dedicated period allows educators to impart knowledge about digital citizenship and assist students in acquiring the essential skills for the safe, ethical, and effective use of digital devices. Particularly in the current climate, it is imperative to empower students to think critically and engage responsibly in the digital sphere by cultivating media literacy and social and emotional learning skills.
Each year, the fourth week of October is observed as U.S. Media Literacy Week. Its purpose is to educate the public about critical thinking, responsible media consumption, and empowerment. Various activities, including workshops, webinars, and panel discussions, are offered to students, educators, parents, and the public throughout the week. Key themes include addressing misinformation, promoting digital citizenship, understanding media production, and advocating for representation and diversity. The event involves collaboration among media literacy organizations, educational institutions, and community centers in recognition of the significance of informed media consumption in today's complex media landscape.
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“This guide contains resources for librarians to use to equip students and the general public to identify reliable sources of news and other information. This resource guide includes tips from ALA and our member libraries for assessing the validity of information, professional references to information literacy standards and tools, and style guides for citing sources.”
The Standards and Guidelines section contains information on AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner, ARCL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, and others.
This guide also contains information on citation style guides.
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Chat with a Librarian is PA’s 24/7 virtual reference service where experienced librarians help Pennsylvanians (K-12, College, and State Residents) find factual answers and provide them with research guidance.
Librarians use the information in the POWER Library’s databases and other online resources to find the most accurate answers.
Librarians are accessible 24/7 by chat, email, or text.
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“The Guidelines for Pennsylvania School Library Programs begin with eight indicators of an effective school library program and expand on these to provide goals, guidelines, and resources appropriate to Pennsylvania schools. The Guidelines complement the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL, 2018), providing a model of excellence for Pennsylvania school library programs.”
This project is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which the Pennsylvania Department of Education administers through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
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“The Model Curriculum for Learners in Pennsylvania School Libraries provides a curriculum in information and digital literacy that school librarians can use to partner with educators to help PK-12 learners learn and meet PA Academic Standards.”
“The document incorporates the AASL Standards Framework for Learners and the ISTE Standards for Students. The Committee reviewed the following Pennsylvania Academic Standards and identified 43 Standards for which school librarians can take primary teaching responsibility and 14 standards that school librarians can partner with teachers to support several subject matter areas.”
This project is made possible partly by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, which the Pennsylvania Department of Education administers through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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“The Office of Attorney General’s number one priority is to keep all the citizens of Pennsylvania safe, starting with our youth. Children are our greatest resource, and the Attorney General’s office works vigorously to protect young people from drugs, violence, and crime. The office encourages kids, parents, and schools to participate in these efforts.”
The Office of Public Engagement offers information on recommended procedures, educational programs, and laws focused on Pennsylvania youth.
Additional Highlights: This resource also offers resources on youth violence prevention, especially within social media, through the Safe2Say Something program.
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The POWER Library OER Commons hub is designed to serve educators across the Commonwealth with high-quality, customizable K-12 lesson plans and other resources that directly correlate Pennsylvania’s elementary and secondary content standards to those provided in POWER Library.
The OER Commons Hub offers several resources on CCSS Aligned English Language Arts, CCSS Aligned Mathematics, primary sources for science, arts integration, Career & Technical Education, Digital Literacy, and 21st Century Skills.
In addition, the resource also offers several professional support materials.
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The Digital Wellness Lab is a nonprofit research institution seeking to understand and promote positive and healthy digital media experiences for young people from birth through adulthood.
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The Center for Media Literacy (CML) is an educational organization that offers leadership, public education, and professional development resources nationally and internationally. It is dedicated to advocating for and bolstering media literacy education. Its objective is to assist individuals, particularly the younger demographic, cultivate critical thinking and media production abilities to navigate today's media landscape effectively, ultimately empowering them to make informed choices.
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Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Since 2003, Common Sense Media has been the leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools. Every day, millions of parents and educators trust Common Sense reviews and advice to help them navigate the digital world with their kids.
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In 1979, a group of educators in Eugene, Oregon, began envisioning a new approach to education, emphasizing student empowerment, global collaboration, and leveraging technology for innovation. Today, the small group’s vision has evolved into the International Society for Technology in Education dedicated to making teaching and learning more meaningful worldwide. This community is known as ISTE. In 2023, ISTE merged with education nonprofit ASCD, combining technology expertise with curriculum and instruction knowledge. This expanded their ability to support educators and shape the future of education through effective pedagogy practices supported by technology.
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The Media Education Lab represents an online community dedicated to advancing digital and media literacy education. It achieves this through rigorous research, professional development programs, and the creation of comprehensive curriculum resources. Notable initiatives include Courageous RI, a violence prevention program funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the esteemed Summer Institute in Digital Literacy. The lab is committed to developing engaging multimedia resources and supporting educators to enhance online meeting skills.
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The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) is a leading organization that promotes media literacy as an essential life skill for the 21st century. NAMLE provides various resources, including detailed strategies for conducting Media Literacy Week, a biannual National Media Education Conference, and an interdisciplinary journal called the Journal of Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) (MediaLitNow).
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Founded in 2008, the News Literacy Project (NLP) is a nonpartisan education nonprofit that works with educators, school districts, and states to ensure students receive news literacy instruction before they graduate from high school. With free interactive lessons, infographics, and more on the e-learning platform Checkology®, students gain the knowledge and critical thinking skills to become well-informed members of civic society.
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The Be Internet Awesome Family Guide gives families the tools and resources to learn about online safety and citizenship at home. We’ve created this guide to make it easier for families to incorporate and practice good digital habits daily. Packed with good stuff, this guide will help you and your kids discuss, learn, and think about online safety together.
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(English, Greek, and Spanish)
The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) and our partner Trend Micro created a parent’s guide to assist families in starting media literacy conversations at home. We focus on one simple piece of advice: teach your kids to ask questions. With real-life examples of conversations that may come up at home, the guide provides parents with some simple ways to encourage critical thinking at home.
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Today’s students are surrounded by more technology than any generation before them. From social media and online videos to search engines and AI tools, they’re constantly receiving messages that shape how they think, feel, and act. That’s why information literacy is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s essential. This toolkit is designed to help educators, school leaders, and support staff build a shared understanding of what information literacy is, why it matters, and how to teach it across all grade levels and subject areas. You'll find clear guidance, practical strategies, and ready-to-use resources to support your work.
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In today’s complex media environment, media literacy (ML) is vital for national security and democratic processes. This manual offers a framework for developing and evaluating ML interventions, with insights into four types of interventions based on thorough research. It is structured into seven sections, highlighting the critical role of ML, exploring the ML landscape, discussing monitoring and evaluation, outlining principles of ML programming, and presenting specific models of ML intervention.
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The K-12 ISTE Digital Citizenship initiative focuses on teaching students to be thoughtful and empathetic digital citizens. It promotes five key competencies: balanced, informed, inclusive, engaged, and alert. These competencies help students navigate digital environments safely, critically evaluate information, respect diverse viewpoints, and use technology positively. The initiative offers free DigCit learning activities, a self-paced course for educators, and resources to integrate digital citizenship into various subjects. The ISTE Standards emphasize digital citizenship for students, educators, and leaders.
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Our K–12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum was designed and developed in partnership with Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and guided by research with thousands of educators. Each digital citizenship lesson addresses real challenges and digital dilemmas that students face today, giving them the skills they need to succeed as digital learners, leaders, and citizens tomorrow. (overview of the curriculum)
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Keeping kids safe in the digital world can feel like a full-time job. But monitoring their online activity 24/7 is impossible, so it’s critical to help kids learn to navigate digital spaces independently. Our latest research brief explores the importance of teaching children digital solid citizenship and media literacy skills. This quick guide combines the brief’s insights with easy-to-follow tips for parents to help their kids become savvy, responsible digital citizens.
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Civic Online Reasoning from Digital Inquiry Group
Grades: 6-12
This site provides free lessons and assessments that help teach students to evaluate online information.
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Daily Do Now slides from the News Literacy Project
Grades: 5-12
This collection of quick activities, which are updated weekly, helps students learn to recognize credible information, avoid misinformation, and make informed choices. -
Fact-Checking Tools for Teens and Tweens from Common Sense Media
Grades: 6-12
This repository breaks down the various resources that are available by age.
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Free Fact-Checking Sites for Students and Teachers from Tech Learning
Grades: 6-12
This article presents several free options for students and educators.
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Misinformation and Disinformation: Thinking Critically about Information Sources from College of Staten Island
Grades: 9-12
This is a repository of websites for fact-checking.
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Tools that fight disinformation from RAND Organization
Grades: 9-12
This online database provides information about tools currently available or developing to target online disinformation, particularly on social media.
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Understanding and Spotting False News from Texas A&M
Grades: 9-12
This is a repository of websites and resources to spot fake news and media bias and evaluate photographs online.
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Grades: 2-6
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The Be Internet Awesome curriculum gives educators the tools and methods to teach digital safety fundamentals. The materials developed by Google in partnership with iKeepSafe enable educators to bring the most critical teachings—and the excitement of Interland—into the classroom.
The curriculum includes lesson plans for the five topics, activities, and worksheets that complement Interland.
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Grades: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
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Common Sense is a renowned nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the well-being of children and families by delivering reliable information, education, and an impartial voice essential for thriving in the modern era. Common Sense Education disseminates knowledge on digital citizenship, top-rated applications, and websites and offers professional development opportunities for educators.
Lessons are aligned to Common Core ELA, ISTE, CASEL, and AASL, and individual lessons identify specific standards.
Approximately 137 lessons, which run from 15-45 minutes in length.
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Grades: K-12
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CYBER.ORG is a cybersecurity workforce development organization that targets K-12 students with cyber career awareness, curricular resources, and teacher professional development. The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) supports CYBER.ORG through a grant from the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) to develop and distribute cybersecurity education content to educators nationwide at no cost.
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Grades: 6-9
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Through six digital responsibility lessons, students take practical steps to protect their privacy and safety online. They will also learn critical digital literacy skills, including evaluating content for accuracy, perspective, and motive. Ignition's digital literacy curriculum helps students acknowledge the benefits of online communities and resources while guiding them to successfully navigate potential pitfalls in their digital lives.
Academic Standards from Health, Safety, and Physical Education
Six lessons, 25 minutes per lesson, 2 ½- -3 hours for all six lessons.
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Grades: 1-4
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The Faux Paw the Techno Cat’s Cybersecurity Superstars Curriculum has four lesson plans for grades 1-4. It aims to teach internet safety, privacy, and ethics through cybersecurity roles and concepts such as secure downloading and identifying privacy risks. This helps young students understand the cybersecurity career domain in a relatable way.
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Grades: Secondary and Adult Learners, including Educators
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This curriculum presents a comprehensive media and information literacy competency framework and offers educators and learners structured pedagogical suggestions. It features various detailed modules covering the range of competencies needed to navigate today’s communications ecosystem. This resource links media and information literacy to emerging issues, such as artificial intelligence, digital citizenship education, education for sustainable development, cultural literacy, and the exponential rise in misinformation and disinformation.
The curriculum includes 14 learning modules.
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Grades: K-12 Educators
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Gain the skills and confidence to incorporate media literacy and media production into your teaching successfully. Set your own schedule and go at your own pace with hands-on, step-by-step courses developed by our team of professional media literacy instructors. No expensive media-making software required. These courses are for teachers, ToSAs, librarians, media specialists, tech coordinators, and educators in any grade, any subject (ELA to STEM).
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Grades: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12+
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The News Literacy Project (NLP) provides educators with free programs, resources and professional development to help them teach news literacy across disciplines and grade levels.
Discover Checkology®, NLP’s e-learning platform, which features interactive lessons led by leading journalists and experts, plus ready-to-use lesson plans, infographics, quizzes and more. With The Sift® newsletter, bring current events into your classroom with timely examples of news and viral content along with discussion prompts and classroom activity ideas.
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If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available.
Pennsylvania's Gambling Helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7/365.
Help is available by phone, text, or online chat.
Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Call the 24-hour helpline at 1-800-426-2537
Calls are free and entirely confidential.
For callers with primary languages other than English, a language line translation service is available, offering assistance in over 200 languages (1-800-GAMBLER).
Text 800GAMText the 24-hour helpline at 800GAM
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The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, Inc., is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Council on Problem Gambling. Our purpose is to educate and share information on problem gambling and to provide resources for help.
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Spanish versions of resources are available - Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA - Spanish Resources.
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The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs contracts with the following licensed agencies and private practice clinicians to provide outpatient gambling counseling services to at-risk adults and adolescents, as well as those with a gambling disorder. Family members and significant others of the gambler may also be eligible to receive outpatient services.
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The National Council on Problem Gambling provides a range of resources, including answers to commonly asked questions, a gambling behavior self-assessment, information about treatment, and the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700) to connect you with help in your state.
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Just because teens aren’t allowed to gamble, that doesn’t mean they don’t. Here’s a place where you can learn more about how gambling works, spot the signs of a gambling problem, and find helpful resources if you or someone you care about has a problem with gambling.
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For over 20 years, the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours at McGill University has conducted research on youth gambling issues and provided treatment for affected youth. Funded by various governmental agencies and foundations, the Centre has identified key risk factors associated with gambling problems and developed award-winning prevention programs that improve treatment effectiveness for problem gamblers.
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Bullying Prevention Consultation Line
The toll-free Bullying Prevention Consultation Line invites individuals experiencing chronic and unresolved bullying to discuss effective strategies and available resources to manage school-based bullying.
This resource was developed in collaboration with the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (CHPDP), and is available at no cost to students, parents/guardians, and school districts across Pennsylvania.
The Bullying Prevention and Consultation Line is 1-866-716-0424. Messages left will be returned during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. Please note: this number is not monitored 24 hours a day/seven days a week and should not be used for emergencies.
1-866-716-0424
Watch the PA Bullying Prevention Consultation Line Video (YouTube)
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Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others, and to "say something" BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it's easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
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Resources for parents, educators, and professionals serving children, youth, and families. Since December 1999, CSS has coordinated the Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Network with ongoing professional development and a referral process for those in need of bullying prevention training. Currently, there are over 80 members across the commonwealth. CSS organized and hosted the 2018 and 2019 Bullying Prevention Day rally held in the Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg. Through a longtime partnership with Highmark Foundation, CSS launched Connect. Care. Champion: A Middle School Bullying Toolkit website in 2019. The bullying prevention toolkit websites were incorporated into the CSS website’s bullying prevention section in 2024.
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Founded in 2006, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center (NBPC) actively leads social change to prevent childhood bullying, so that all youth are safe and supported in their schools, communities, and online. PACER’s NBPC provides innovative resources for students, parents, educators, and others, and recognizes bullying as a serious community issue that impacts education, physical and emotional health, and the safety and well-being of students.
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StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on what cyberbullying is, cyberbullying tactics, cyberbullying and gaming, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying, tips for teachers, and digital awareness for parents.
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How do you continue to create a safe and positive school climate in a virtual environment? It has never been more critical to stay connected while supporting the social-emotional needs of students and educators. Presenters from the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) will share ideas for establishing a safe, welcoming virtual classroom and discuss how to promote social connection while physically apart.
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The majority of teens credit social media with strengthening their friendships and providing support, while also noting the emotionally charged side of these platforms.
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The American Psychological Association has issued recommendations for the use of social media by adolescents, noting that while these platforms can promote healthy socialization, their use should be preceded by training in social media literacy to ensure that youth have skills that will maximize the chances for balanced, safe, and meaningful experiences.
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Research shows that social media use is closely linked to body dissatisfaction, restricted eating, and low self-esteem, especially during adolescence. Children and Screens’ Research-at-a-Glance on “Digital Media and Youth Body Image” distills the latest findings into clear takeaways for parents, educators, and policymakers. The Institute’s mission is grounded in four pillars: advance and support interdisciplinary research, inform and educate the public, influence sound public policy for child health and wellness, and enhance human capital in the field. These pillars are interconnected and driven by research.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Office of School Climate and Well-Being works collaboratively with Pennsylvania school communities and stakeholders to advance efforts to develop and sustain equitable trauma-informed learning environments that promote and support the academic, physical, and psychological safety and well-being of all students and staff.
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A Surgeon General’s Advisory is a public statement that calls the American people’s attention to an urgent public health issue and provides recommendations for how it should be addressed. Advisories are reserved for significant public health challenges that require the nation’s immediate awareness and action. This Advisory calls attention to the growing concerns about the effects of social media on youth mental health. It explores and describes the current evidence on the positive and negative impacts of social media on children and adolescents, some of the primary areas for mental health and well-being concerns, and opportunities for additional research to help understand the full scope and scale of social media’s impact.
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In 2022, SAMHSA funded the American Academy of Pediatrics to establish a Center of Excellence on Social Media and Mental Wellbeing (SMMW-CoE) to develop and disseminate information, guidance, and training on the impact—including risks and benefits—that social media use has on children and young people, especially on their mental health.
This National Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health will serve as a centralized, trusted source for evidence-based education and technical assistance to support the mental health of children and adolescents as they navigate social media. The Center also examines clinical and social interventions to prevent and mitigate risks. It serves as a centralized, trusted source for evidence-based education and technical assistance to support the mental health of children and adolescents as they navigate social media.
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Social media use starts during childhood and can play a significant role in the relationships and experiences that impact children's and teens’ growth, development, and mental health. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence (CoE) on Social Media and Youth Mental Health is dedicated to creating a healthy digital ecosystem for children and adolescents. This National Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health will serve as a centralized, trusted source for evidence-based education and technical assistance to support the mental health of children and adolescents as they navigate social media.
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Youth self-harm and suicide rates have risen over the past decade–and digital media may be playing a role. Understanding the connection between screen time, the ways youth use digital media, and youth mental health is more important than ever. The Institute’s mission is grounded in four pillars: advance and support interdisciplinary research, inform and educate the public, influence sound public policy for child health and wellness, and enhance human capital in the field. These pillars are interconnected, and all are driven by research.
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The Screen Deep Podcast dives into the latest research, groundbreaking studies, and expert insights on how digital media shapes child development. Designed for intellectually curious listeners, the podcast blends accessible storytelling with engaging conversations grounded in rigorous research. Each 30–40-minute episode explores compelling questions affecting today’s youth, offering thoughtful insights to help parents, caregivers, and educators better support children’s health and development in a digital world.
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The Be Internet Awesome Family Guide gives families the tools and resources to learn about online safety and citizenship at home. We’ve created this guide to make it easier for families to incorporate and practice good digital habits daily. Packed with good stuff, this guide will help you and your kids discuss, learn, and think about online safety together.
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The Digital Wellness Lab is a nonprofit research institution seeking to understand and promote positive and healthy digital media experiences for young people from birth through adulthood. This Digital Wellness Guide is designed to provide parents and caregivers with information and guidance based on clinical evidence and scientific research.
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The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) and our partner Trend Micro created a parent’s guide to assist families in starting media literacy conversations at home. We focus on one simple piece of advice: teach your kids to ask questions. With real-life examples of conversations that may come up at home, the guide provides parents with some simple ways to encourage critical thinking at home.
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Scroll Smarter Newsletter – A Family Guide to News Literacy
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Can your teen tell what’s real and what’s not? The online world moves fast, but Scroll Smarter can help you and your family keep up. The News Literacy Project’s free monthly newsletter gives parents and caregivers quick, helpful tips to make sense of today’s information overload. You’ll get smart, family-friendly tools to help your kids think more clearly about what they see online.
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By age 11, about half of children in the U.S. own a smartphone. When you hand your child a cell phone, give them an assertive communication and entertainment tool. These devices become a constant companion in the lives of preteens and teens—a source of connection, creativity, and, yes, even distraction. Here are some ways for parents and caregivers to guide their children to use their phones healthily and responsibly.
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Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Since 2003, Common Sense has been the leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools. Every day, millions of parents and educators trust Common Sense reviews and advice to help them navigate the digital world with their kids.
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Keeping kids safe in the digital world can feel like a full-time job. But monitoring their online activity 24/7 is impossible, so it’s critical to help kids learn to navigate digital spaces independently. Our latest research brief explores the importance of teaching children digital solid citizenship and media literacy skills. This quick guide combines the brief’s insights with easy-to-follow tips for parents to help their kids become savvy, responsible digital citizens.
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Is that true?! We’ve all seen the screaming headlines and tempting clickbait. Unfortunately, not all the information on the internet tells the whole truth; some is just plain false. Disinformation and misinformation can be extremely dangerous—especially for children and teens, who are still building the critical thinking skills to distinguish fiction from truth.
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The document overviews problematic media use, encompassing definitions, and consequences for children and adolescents. It also addresses risk factors and explores various treatment options.
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Research increasingly shows that monitoring may be more effective while empowering youth with the skills they need to be responsible digital citizens. Here are essential skills kids and teens must master, from digital media literacy to privacy and security, and uncover the keys to unlocking a safe and enriching online experience.
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The Family Online Safety Institute brings a unique, international perspective to the potential risks, harms, and rewards of our online lives. FOSI’s 30+ members are among the world's leading telecommunications, social media, cybersecurity, gaming, and internet companies.
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Make screen time safe and positive. Use these planners to inspire conversations about tech use as a family. Entertainment and tech have the potential to spark meaningful conversations. Tech planners are an excellent way for kids to understand how your family makes the most of entertainment and tech time.
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The following terminology was compiled from (the) Information Literacy Glossary - Research & Course Guides at State University of New York at Oneonta and Digital Wellness Lab Glossary.
Access Point: Particular way of looking up information in an access tool, for example, author, title, subject.
Access Tools: Reference sources that lead to materials in which the information needed can be found, such as databases, indexes, and catalogs.
Citation: Entry composed of elements needed to locate a source of information, sometimes referred to as a bibliographic citation.
Course Reserves: Materials that instructors set aside for the students in a class to read, including but not limited to books, DVDs, and articles.
Database: Organized collection of information in electronic form, often used to refer to a computerized index (a systematic guide to the contents of an information source, particularly periodicals), which often includes the full text of cited items. Libraries subscribe to databases like they subscribe to journals and often limit user access. A database is a type of access tool and might be referred to as a subscription or fee-based database in contrast to a free database or a website.
Data Set: A collection of data from a single source or intended for a single project.
Digital citizenship – The responsible, safe, and respectful internet and technology use.
Digital wellness – An intentional state of physical, mental, and social health that occurs with mindful engagement with the digital and natural environment.
Disinformation – Content or statements that spread false or inaccurate information with the deliberate intent to mislead or manipulate.
Evidence-based – Refers to the systematic decision-making process, and actions or activities are undertaken using the best research available. Evidence-based practice aims to remove, as far as possible, subjective opinions, unfounded beliefs, or biases from organizational decisions and actions.
Fact – A true statement verified or proven with research and evidence.
Fake news – False or misleading information masquerading as legitimate news.
Field: Part of a record used for specific information about the source, for example, author, title, and subject. Fields allow users to find sources of information by using specific access points, such as author, title, or subject, when searching access tools.
Generative AI (genAI) – Artificial intelligence system designed to process user prompts and respond with text, images, audio, or other output modeled on an existing training data set.
Information Environment: The aggregate of individuals, organizations, and systems that collect, process, disseminate, or act on information.
Information Life Cycle: The stages through which information passes, typically characterized as creation or collection, processing, dissemination, use, storage, and disposition, including destruction and deletion.
Information Literacy: A collection of skills demonstrating that an individual can recognize when and what information is needed and then critically and reliably search for, retrieve, analyze, and use that information.
Internet: Network of computer networks throughout the world
Keyword Search: Provides results based upon a straightforward match between the search term and word(s) appearing anywhere in the record for an information source.
Media literacy – The ability to consume, engage with, and create media critically.
Misinformation – Content or statements that spread false or inaccurate information, with or without the intent to mislead.
Monograph: Single-volume books providing in-depth research into a single subject or part of a subject. Monographs are geared toward an academic audience and are intended to contribute to a broader body of knowledge in an academic discipline. These books are also sometimes referred to as scholarly monographs.
Peer-Reviewed: A review process by others in the field to evaluate the validity and integrity of the information.
Periodical: Publication that appears regularly, of which newspapers, magazines, and journals are types.
Popular Source/Magazine: Periodical intended for general readership.
Primary Source: Information created close to the original event or phenomenon. For example, a photograph or video of an event is a primary source. Data from an experiment is a primary source.
Record: Entry in an access tool that provides the information needed to identify a source
Receptive screen use – Watching or reading screen-based media that doesn’t require thinking or active engagement, such as scrolling through social media feeds or watching videos online. (see also: Passive screen use)
Scholarly Source/Journal: (referred/peer-reviewed) Periodical containing scholarly information or research reports. When articles submitted for publication are read by other experts in the field, a journal is labeled as refereed or peer-reviewed.
Search Engine/Subject Directory: Search mechanism for locating information on the World Wide Web, with the former providing results based on computer-matched terms and the latter providing results based upon the human assignment of subject terms to websites.
Secondary Source: Information about or interpreting/analyzing a primary source, such as articles or books written about a previous, original study.
Style Manual: Guide to formatting citations of external sources in both the text and in the bibliography of a paper. The most common citation styles are APA, MLA, and the Chicago Manual of Style, though others exist, especially for specific disciplines, such as Chemistry.
Subject Search: Provides results based upon a match between the search term and the subject(s)/descriptor(s) assigned to a particular information source.
Tertiary Source: Information that summarizes or synthesizes the research in secondary sources. For example, textbooks and reference books are tertiary sources.
World Wide Web: Hypertext linking of information on the Internet.
