CIRA and MediaSmarts launch new cyber safety resource for Canadian educators at RALLY 2026
New “Shields Up For Cyber Safety” lesson plan will help students build practical skills to navigate online risks and stay safer online
OTTAWA, 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.
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.
Through 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.
Key Facts
- 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.
Executive Quotes
“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.”
— 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, MediaSmarts
Additional resources
- Access Shields Up For Cyber Safety: mediasmarts.ca/shields-up
- Learn more about CIRA Canadian Shield: cira.ca/shield
- Learn more about MediaSmarts: mediasmarts.ca
About CIRA
CIRA 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.
About MediaSmarts
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.
Media Contacts
Shehnila Sayeed
Communications Manager
613.805.3146
Tricia Grant
Director of Marketing & Communications
MediaSmarts
613-224-7721 ext. 231
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