A Montreal school is working to educate children about online safety and addiction by starting them early. At East Hill Elementary School in Riviere-des-Prairies, Grade 5 students in the media lab are taught to think before posting online and design and code their own video games meant to quiz third graders about online safety.

More and more young people are attached to their phones and posting every aspect of their lives online. But some aren’t always aware of the potential risks and dangers involved. Students at East Hill Elementary School in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies are learning about online safety, and being warned about screen time addiction.

Habs forward takes advantage of Olympic break to visit with students and teachers at East Hill Elementary School in Rivière-des-Prairies. | Montreal Gazette Article

The STEAM model — integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics — is now fully embedded at the school following a three-year pilot project led by the English Montreal School Board (EMSB). The approach emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking and real-world application, marking a shift away from traditional teaching methods.