We live in a time known as the 'Digital' or 'Information Age.'
With new technologies emerging constantly, how do we navigate the digital frontier?
That's where PBS39's Tech Takeover comes in. PBS39's digital literacy series educates and empowers viewers about how to better use and understand current and emerging digital platforms.
Digital literacy is the ability to evaluate and use information from the internet, smartphones, video games and other non-traditional sources. Whether you're watching a video on YouTube or reading an article on Facebook, children and adults alike need to know how to critically examine the quality and credibility of that media. They also need to know how to keep their personal information safe online.
PBS39 Tech Takeover Mission Statement:
(1) We Create Strong Digital Citizens
This series focuses on educating viewers to become strong 'Digital Citizens' for the long-term. We not only help them navigate the Digital World, we also encourage them to practice digital ethics when they share and use content online.
(2) We Read The Fine Print
We read user agreements and break them down for our viewers. When they join groups like Facebook, YouTube and Venmo, we tell them what rights they do - and don't have - by signing up.
(3) We Offer Solutions To Digital Problems
We explain to viewers how to keep their personal information safe, private and secure. We also provide reviews for websites, test smartphone apps and check out the latest tech to keep viewers informed.
About Megan Frank
Megan Frank grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Temple University. She is the 2010 recipient of The Legacy Award for excellence in reporting on diverse communities, given by Temple's Klein College of Media and Communication. She comes to PBS39 from Harrisburg, where she reported for stations serving the Pennsylvania State Capitol region. Prior to her work in television, she was a public radio reporter at WHYY in Philadelphia, reporting for the station's flagship radio program NewsWorks Tonight and acted as an investigative research aide for NPR's Marcellus Shale reporting project StateImpact Pennsylvania. Her print work has been featured by Philly.com's My Community Trend and Temple University's Fox Focus magazine.
Meet the Pa. company behind Wawa's latest app that uses augmented reality.
PBS39 takes a look at this practice of collecting data and posting it publicly online.
We examine ways to go green this holiday season.
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We take a closer look at election disinformation.
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We explore a new esports education center that will welcome gamers with autism.
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A look at two regional tech and innovation festivals.
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A deeper look at "clicktivism" and the "challenge accepted" Instagram movement.
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A closer look at those terms of service agreements on social media.
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Explore how watching the Super Bowl has changed.
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Take a look at the tech behind one of the region's largest holiday lights displays.
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Q&A with educator and social media expert Tim Guella.
A Lehigh County entrepreneur whose company makes 3-D prosthetics.
Demo of Nintendo's new interactive video game.
Visit a laser company in Lehigh County.
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Learn about Cybersecurity and what you can do to make your devices safer.
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Learn about the cryptocurrency.
Check out this "robot restaurant" in Delaware.
Learn about Deepfakes: a technique for human image synthesis based on artificial intelligence.
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A look at Lehigh University's CHOICES summer camp for teen girls.
How to guard your digital privacy.
A look at eSports and an Allentown man who plays for the Sacramento Kings' eSports team.
Tips for resting in cyber peace and how to set up a "digital will."
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Meet Marty-- Giant Food Store's newest associate.
How can you stop getting those annoying robocalls and scams?