“What’s Your Story?” is an international, user-generated video contest that empowers youth to be leaders in educating others about being safe online. It gives young people an opportunity to be a part of the solution to online safety. Common Sense Media, along with several organizations that believe in the importance of keeping kids safe online, have partnered with Trend Micro to make “What’s Your Story?” 2011 a reality!

Here is some more information about the 2011 “What’s Your Story?” Internet Safety Video Contest:

• The contest asks anyone over the age of 13 to create and submit a video educating their peers about the risks on the Internet and how best to stay safe when engaging in online activities, including texting or social networking.

• The contest requires young people to become educated about being safe online, then empowers them as educators to impart advice to their peers through the creation of the video.
• What makes “What’s Your Story?” unique is the peer review and crowdsourcing that is used to help select the winners. Unlike other video contests that usually rely on static and subjective criteria, “What’s Your Story?” gets kids to stay actively engaged throughout the entire process, from the time the videos are submitted until the winners are chosen.

Just like the Common Sense Digital Literacy and Citizenship curriculum, this contest uses digital media to teach students about digital media. We think it’s a great way to enhance the work you may already be doing in the classroom with Common Sense resources.

Learn how your students can enter the “What’s Your Story?” at http://whatsyourstory.trendmicro.com