essay digital citizenship

Essay on Digital Citizenship

Students are often asked to write an essay on Digital Citizenship in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Digital Citizenship

What is digital citizenship.

Digital Citizenship is about using the internet and digital devices in a responsible and respectful manner. It’s like being a good citizen in the digital world. We should use technology in a way that doesn’t harm others and helps us learn and grow.

Why is Digital Citizenship Important?

Digital Citizenship is important because we spend a lot of time online. We learn, play, and talk with friends on the internet. Being a good digital citizen helps us use the internet safely and respectfully. It also helps us understand the impact of our actions online.

Elements of Digital Citizenship

There are several parts to being a good digital citizen. These include understanding digital etiquette, knowing how to stay safe online, respecting other people’s digital rights, and being aware of your digital footprint. All these elements help us use technology in a positive and responsible way.

Role of Schools in Digital Citizenship

Schools play a big role in teaching digital citizenship. They help students understand how to use technology responsibly. Schools also teach us about the dangers of the internet and how to avoid them. This helps us become better digital citizens.

In conclusion, digital citizenship is about being responsible and respectful online. It’s an important skill for everyone who uses the internet. By understanding digital citizenship, we can make the digital world a better place for everyone.

250 Words Essay on Digital Citizenship

Understanding digital citizenship.

Digital Citizenship is about how we behave online. It’s like being a good citizen in the real world, but in the digital world. We need to know how to use the internet and digital tools safely, respectfully, and responsibly.

Importance of Digital Citizenship

The digital world is a big part of our lives. We use it to learn, play, and talk with friends. But just like in the real world, there are rules we need to follow. Being a good digital citizen means following these rules. This will keep us safe and help us use the internet in a good way.

Aspects of Digital Citizenship

There are many parts to being a good digital citizen. One part is online safety. This means keeping personal information private and not sharing passwords. Another part is being respectful online. This means not bullying or hurting others with words or actions. A third part is using the internet responsibly. This means not stealing or copying other people’s work.

Schools play a big role in teaching digital citizenship. They can teach us about online safety, respect, and responsibility. They can also help us learn how to use digital tools in a good way. This will prepare us for a world where the internet is a big part of work and life.

Being a good digital citizen is important. It helps us stay safe, respect others, and use the internet in a good way. Schools can help us learn about digital citizenship. This will prepare us for a world that is more and more digital.

500 Words Essay on Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship is all about using the internet and digital devices in a responsible and respectful way. It’s like being a good citizen in the real world, but online! It includes understanding how to stay safe online, respecting others’ rights and privacy, and using digital tools in a positive way.

In today’s world, we spend a lot of time online. We use the internet for school, to talk to friends, and even to play games. But just like in the real world, there are rules we need to follow. These rules help to keep us safe and make sure we are being kind to others. That’s why understanding digital citizenship is so important.

Staying Safe Online

One of the key parts of digital citizenship is knowing how to stay safe online. This means not sharing personal information like your address or phone number with people you don’t know. It also means being careful about clicking on links or downloading things from the internet. These could be tricks to get your information or harm your computer.

Respecting Others

Just like in the real world, it’s important to respect others online. This means not saying mean things or sharing someone else’s information without their permission. It also means understanding that not everything you read online is true. So, before you share something, make sure it’s accurate.

Positive Use of Digital Tools

Digital citizenship also includes using digital tools in a positive way. This could mean using the internet to learn new things or to help others. It could also mean creating things like art or music using digital tools. The key is to use these tools to make the world a better place, not to harm others or break the rules.

In conclusion, digital citizenship is a very important part of our lives. It helps us to stay safe online, respect others, and use digital tools in a positive way. By understanding and following the rules of digital citizenship, we can make the internet a better place for everyone.

Remember, being a good digital citizen is like being a good citizen in the real world. It’s all about respecting others, staying safe, and using tools in a positive way. So, the next time you go online, think about how you can be a good digital citizen!

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Digital Addiction
• Essay on Digestive System
• Essay on Different Religions

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Digital Citizenship 101: Responsible Online Behavior

Introduction, defining digital citizenship: navigating the online world responsibly, from online behavior to digital citizenship, benefits of being a good digital citizen, protecting yourself and others: cultivating healthy online practices, guarding your digital fortress: the power of strong passwords, the perils of oversharing: embracing privacy settings, think before you post: the lasting impact of online content, standing strong against cyberbullying: promoting respect online, shaping responsible digital citizens: empowering the next generation, education at the helm: strategies for teaching digital citizenship, parental guidance: modeling good digital citizenship, safeguarding your digital sanctuary: a guide to online safety, dodging digital snares: recognizing and avoiding scams, unmasking phishing attempts: building a shield of awareness, downloading with caution: the risks of unknown files, the shield of updates: keeping software and security systems current, into the digital frontier: navigating the future of digital citizenship, emerging trends: shaping the digital landscape, the path ahead: evolving perspectives on digital citizenship, a societal shift: the impact of digital citizenship, additional resources.

“Imagine waking up one morning to find that your personal photos, messages, and private information have been leaked online for the world to see. Your sense of privacy shattered, you’re left feeling violated and exposed. This nightmare scenario is a stark reminder of the importance of digital citizenship.”

In today’s interconnected world, understanding digital citizenship has become paramount. Digital citizenship refers to the responsible and ethical use of technology, particularly in the online sphere. It encompasses a range of behaviors, from respecting others’ privacy to safeguarding personal information.

The online landscape has become a thriving virtual society, filled with opportunities, connections, and information. However, just like in the physical world, there are rules, values, and responsibilities that must be upheld to create a safe and inclusive environment. Digital citizenship serves as the guiding principle for our online conduct, shaping how we interact with others, handle information, and contribute to the digital community.

The Basics of Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship is not a destination, but a continuous journey. It encapsulates the principles of respect, integrity, and responsibility in our digital lives. Just as we strive to be good citizens in our physical communities, digital citizenship urges us to be active, engaged, and accountable members of the online world.

To navigate the digital landscape responsibly, we must embody these principles. Respect involves treating others with kindness, empathy, and tolerance, both in our words and actions online. Integrity calls us to be honest, transparent, and authentic in our digital interactions. Responsibility compels us to protect our personal information, contribute positively to online discussions, and report any harmful or inappropriate content we come across.

Our online behavior contributes to our digital citizenship. Every post, comment, like, or share has the power to shape the digital landscape. By being mindful of our actions and adhering to the principles of digital citizenship, we can cultivate a positive online presence that fosters respect, empathy, and understanding.

“The virtual world is a reflection of who we are, and our digital citizenship is a mirror that reflects our values, beliefs, and character. It is a call to action, reminding us to be the best versions of ourselves as we navigate the vast expanse of the internet.”

Embracing digital citizenship brings numerous benefits. When we engage responsibly and ethically online, we create meaningful connections with others who share our interests, passions, and goals. We have the opportunity to collaborate, learn, and grow alongside a diverse global community.

As good digital citizens, we also gain access to a wealth of knowledge and resources. The internet offers a vast repository of information that can empower us in various aspects of life. By leveraging the power of digital citizenship, we can tap into this wealth of knowledge and contribute to it, expanding the collective wisdom of humanity.

Moreover, practicing digital citizenship helps us develop critical thinking skills. We learn to navigate the vast sea of information, distinguish between credible and unreliable sources, and become more discerning consumers of digital content. This ability to think critically and evaluate information is invaluable in our increasingly digital and information-driven world.

Developing Good Online Habits

In our digital world, cultivating good online habits is essential to ensure our safety and the safety of others. Let’s explore some key practices that contribute to responsible and secure online behavior.

In the online realm, our passwords are the first line of defense against unauthorized access to our digital lives. Creating strong, unique passwords is crucial to protect our personal information from hackers and cybercriminals.

“A strong password is like a fortress protecting our digital kingdom. It should be long, combining a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable information like your name, birthdate, or common phrases. Instead, opt for a passphrase that is memorable to you but difficult for others to crack.”

Furthermore, it’s important to use a different password for each online account. This way, if one account is compromised, the others remain secure. Consider using a password manager, which securely stores and generates complex passwords, taking the burden of remembering them off your shoulders.

In the age of social media and oversharing, it’s crucial to be mindful of the information we divulge online. While sharing moments from our lives can be enjoyable and connect us with others, it’s important to strike a balance between sharing and protecting our privacy.

Consider adjusting the privacy settings on your social media accounts to control who can see your posts, photos, and personal information. Be cautious about sharing sensitive details like your home address, phone number, or financial information. Remember that once something is shared online, it can be challenging to retract or erase completely.

“Take the time to review and understand the privacy policies of the platforms you use. Familiarize yourself with the options available to you, and make informed decisions about what you share and with whom. By being proactive in managing our privacy, we can minimize the risk of identity theft, online harassment, and other potential harm.”

In the digital realm, our words and actions have a lasting impact. What we post online, whether it’s a comment, a photo, or a video, can shape others’ perceptions and influence their emotions. It’s crucial to think before we hit that “send” button, ensuring that our contributions reflect our values and do not harm ourselves or others.

“Consider the potential consequences of your online posts. Will your words uplift and inspire? Will they contribute positively to a discussion? Or do they have the potential to hurt or offend others? Take a moment to reflect on the potential impact of your content and consider alternative ways to express your thoughts or opinions respectfully.”

Engaging in healthy digital conversations involves active listening, empathy, and open-mindedness. It’s important to be aware of our biases and assumptions and to approach online discussions with respect and a willingness to learn from others’ perspectives. By fostering a culture of constructive and empathetic communication, we can contribute to a vibrant and inclusive digital community.

Cyberbullying is a harsh reality in today’s digital landscape, causing immense harm to individuals of all ages. As responsible digital citizens, it is our duty to stand against cyberbullying and promote respect, kindness, and empathy online.

“If you witness cyberbullying, take action. Report the behavior to the platform or website administrators and offer support to the person being targeted. Remember that silence can inadvertently condone such behavior, so speak up and let your voice be heard against cyberbullying.”

Additionally, consider the language and tone you use in your online interactions. Aim to be constructive and empathetic, even when disagreeing with others. Promote healthy conversations and support those who may be facing harassment or mistreatment.

Teaching Digital Citizenship to Children and Teens

Instilling digital citizenship in young people is vital to equip them with the necessary skills and values to navigate the online world responsibly. By providing them with guidance and education, we empower them to make informed decisions, think critically, and engage positively in the digital

In the classroom and at home, educators play a crucial role in teaching digital citizenship. By integrating digital citizenship into the curriculum and providing interactive activities, we can empower students to understand the impact of their online actions and make responsible choices.

“Educators can incorporate digital citizenship lessons across various subjects, such as English, social studies, and technology. By exploring real-life scenarios, engaging in discussions, and participating in collaborative projects, students can develop a deeper understanding of the rights, responsibilities, and ethical considerations that accompany digital citizenship.”

Parents are powerful role models for their children. By demonstrating good digital citizenship themselves and engaging in open conversations about online behavior, parents can guide their children towards responsible and ethical technology use.

“Parents can create a safe and open environment for discussing online experiences and concerns. They should encourage their children to share any instances of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or suspicious online behavior they encounter. By fostering trust and open communication, parents can provide the support and guidance needed to navigate the complexities of the digital world.”

Staying Safe Online

In our ever-evolving digital landscape, staying safe online is of paramount importance. Let’s explore some key practices that can help protect our digital sanctuaries from cyber threats.

Scammers lurk in the shadows of the internet, ready to exploit unsuspecting individuals. It’s crucial to familiarize ourselves with common scams and stay vigilant to protect ourselves from falling victim to their deceitful tactics.

“Be cautious when encountering suspicious emails, messages, or advertisements. Watch out for requests for personal information, urgent payment requests, or deals that seem too good to be true. Remember, legitimate organizations and financial institutions will never ask for sensitive information via email or social media.”

If you encounter a potential scam, report it to the appropriate authorities or organizations. By reporting scams, you not only protect yourself but also help protect others from falling victim to similar fraudulent activities.

Phishing attempts have become increasingly sophisticated, posing a significant threat to our online security. Phishing is a method used by cybercriminals to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details, by pretending to be a trustworthy entity.

“To shield yourself from phishing attempts, be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments, especially if they come from unknown or suspicious sources. Verify the legitimacy of the sender and double-check the URL before entering any personal information. If in doubt, contact the organization directly through their official website or customer support channels.”

Remember that awareness is your strongest defense against phishing attacks. Stay informed about the latest phishing techniques and educate yourself on how to spot and avoid them. By remaining vigilant, you can protect your personal information and preserve your digital security.

Downloading files from untrusted sources can unleash a digital nightmare. Cybercriminals often disguise malware within seemingly harmless files, infecting your devices and compromising your security.

“Exercise caution when downloading files from the internet, particularly from unknown sources or suspicious websites. Stick to reputable platforms and official app stores when downloading software, applications, or files. Always scan downloaded files using reliable antivirus software before opening or executing them.”

Additionally, keep your devices’ operating systems, applications, and antivirus software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that address known vulnerabilities. By staying current with updates, you minimize the risk of falling victim to malware or other cyber threats.

Regularly updating software and security systems is crucial to protect ourselves from vulnerabilities. By staying up to date, we ensure that our digital fortress remains fortified against emerging threats.

“Set your devices and applications to automatically update to the latest versions whenever possible. Updates not only provide new features and improvements but also address security vulnerabilities that may have been discovered since the previous version. Take advantage of this built-in defense mechanism to bolster your online security.”

In addition to software updates, maintaining robust security systems, such as firewalls and antivirus software, is essential. These tools act as sentinels, monitoring your digital environment for potential threats and offering an added layer of protection against malicious actors.

The Future of Digital Citizenship

As technology continues to evolve, so does the concept of digital citizenship. Let’s explore what the future might hold for digital citizenship and how it will shape our online experiences.

New technologies and trends are reshaping our digital landscape. From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, these advancements bring both opportunities and challenges for digital citizenship.

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we interact with technology. As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, digital citizens will need to navigate ethical considerations, such as data privacy, algorithmic biases, and the responsible use of AI-powered systems.”

“Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) offer immersive experiences that blur the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds. As these technologies become more prevalent, digital citizens will need to navigate new ethical dilemmas, such as virtual harassment, consent in virtual environments, and the impact of extended reality on mental health.”

As digital citizenship evolves, it will continue to intersect with various fields, including cybersecurity, media literacy, and data ethics. Understanding the implications of these emerging trends and equipping ourselves with the necessary knowledge and skills will be crucial in shaping our digital future.

Digital citizenship is an ever-evolving concept. As our understanding deepens and society grapples with the impact of technology, our perspectives on digital citizenship will continue to evolve, shaping the way we engage with the online world.

“Education and awareness will play a vital role in driving this evolution. Integrating digital citizenship into educational institutions, community organizations, and public discourse will help create a shared understanding of the principles and responsibilities of digital citizenship.”

Collaboration between various stakeholders, including governments, technology companies, educators, and civil society, will be essential in defining and promoting digital citizenship. By working together, we can establish frameworks, policies, and practices that uphold the values of respect, privacy, and responsibility in the digital realm.

The ripple effects of digital citizenship extend beyond the individual. As society becomes increasingly connected, the responsible and ethical use of technology has the potential to shape the world we live in. Understanding the impact of digital citizenship is key to fostering a harmonious and inclusive future.

“Digital citizenship empowers individuals to use technology to drive positive change. By leveraging digital tools, platforms, and networks, digital citizens can raise awareness about social issues, advocate for justice and equality, and create meaningful connections across geographic and cultural boundaries.”

Moreover, digital citizenship is intrinsically tied to civic engagement and democracy. In a world where information spreads rapidly and digital platforms serve as hubs for public discourse, responsible digital citizenship becomes essential in ensuring that accurate information prevails, disinformation is debunked, and democratic processes are protected.

“Together, we can build a digital world where respect, empathy, and responsibility thrive. By embracing digital citizenship, we become active participants in shaping a safer, more inclusive

online landscape.”

In conclusion, digital citizenship is not just a concept; it is a call to action. Through this article, we’ve explored the foundations of responsible online behavior, the importance of teaching digital citizenship to young people, and the significance of staying safe online. Let us commit to being better digital citizens, leading by example, and inspiring others to join us on this journey.

“Remember, the power to shape our digital future lies in our hands. Take action now, and let us be the change we wish to see in the online world.”

• The Digital Citizen’s Guide: A Comprehensive Handbook for Responsible Online Behavior
• https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Citizens-Guide-Cybersecurity-Empowered/dp/1956464220
• Cybersecurity 101: Protecting Your Digital World
• Redefining Society Podcast, Hosted By Marco Ciappelli

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What is Digital Citizenship and Why is it Important?

May 26, 2022 by usidhr.org

The Covid-19 pandemic led to business and school closures which increased technology use for telework and online learning. Technology use is continuing to rise and it is increasingly important to be knowledgeable about how to use it correctly. Digital Citizenship is a way for business leaders, educators, governmental workers, and advocates to understand how we should use technology appropriately. Dr. Mike Ribble believes it’s “more than just a teaching tool, it is a way to prepare students for a society full of technology”[9]. With the correct use of the internet, students and adults can be more aware of human rights violations and how to protect themselves from fraud and disinformation. This article will cover the topics of technology, the importance of digital citizenship, and its implementation in society.

What is the impact of technology on youth?

Technology has had an enormous impact on a student’s learning. For example, it allowed them to have easy access to a larger amount of resources, it encouraged self-paced learning, it prepared them for careers in the tech industry, it improved their multitasking and problem-solving skills, and it can be used as a classroom tool to help students learn in new ways. With the rise of technology, children have started to use it from a very young age. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children between the ages of 8-10 years old spend 8 hours per day on technology, while teenagers spend more than 11 hours per day[1]. Many kids have computers and tablets at home before they start school, but elementary schools also have the option of online learning because it provides more independence and flexibility to a student’s learning. Recently, due to school closures, many students reverted to online learning and that led to an increase in technology use. According to Pew Research Center, 93% of parents with children from kindergarten to 12th grade said their children had online learning during the pandemic[13]. Among these parents, 62% report that the online learning was very successful[13]. While young people have increased their use of technology in schools, they also spend a lot of their time on social media. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51% of teens between the ages of 13-17 use social media daily[15]. Social media platforms are often used as a news source by young people, so it is important to consider social media in Digital Citizenship Education.

Source: Marketing Charts

Source: Pew Research Center

Digital citizenship.

What is Digital Citizenship? Digital Citizenship teaches individuals how to engage and participate in responsible ways of using technology, in order to protect themselves from internet dangers and respect each other’s human rights. According to the Council of Europe, digital citizenship can be defined as:

“The competent and positive engagement with digital technologies (creating, working, sharing, socializing, investigating, playing, communicating, and learning); participating actively and responsibly (values, skills, attitudes, knowledge) in communities (local, national, global) at all levels (political, economic, social, cultural, and intercultural); being involved in a double process of lifelong learning (in formal, informal, and non-formal settings) and continuously defending human dignity”[4].

It is important to note that Digital Citizenship allows citizens to use technology and humanity in a thoughtful and empathetic manner. In 2017, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) organized the first “Alaska Digital Citizenship Week” where they encouraged schools to implement education technology. It was held again the following year and it became a very popular program throughout the state, thus encouraging teachers to be the main guide for students and their families into developing their safety awareness in the digital world[8].

Why is digital citizenship important?

In 2021, The Federal Trade Commission received 2.8 million fraud reports[10]. With the large number of news and media sources, there is a rise in fraud, misinformation, and disinformation. This is why it is important that people choose credible and valid sources. According to a Research led by Stanford History Education Group director Joel Breakstone, PhD, and co-authored by Wineburg, out of a sample of 3,446 students from 14 different states, less than 10% verified an online source’s credentials with a quick web search[11]. Fraudsters and sources spreading misinformation and disinformation take advantage of people without technological knowledge. Digital Citizenship Education is necessary because it protects others from being vulnerable to these issues.

Digital Citizenship Education

Digital Citizenship Education encourages individuals to use their knowledge, skills, and understanding to protect and promote human rights online, such as freedom, privacy, and security. In this way, people become more aware of internet safety. This is because digital citizenship education teaches us how to use the internet responsibly and safely, and how to protect ourselves from fraudsters and predators.

In Canada, 99% of students from 4th to 11th grade use the internet at home[9]. With the rise of technology users, this shows the importance of being knowledgeable about fraud, misinformation,

and disinformation. As a result, Digital Citizenship Education was implemented in Saskatchewan Schools, in order to support the appropriate and responsible online activity of Kindergarten to 12th Grade students. As seen with the evidence above, fraud, misinformation, and disinformation are on the rise and it is vital to be taught how to protect yourself from these common online problems.

Conclusion:

With the rise of technology use, Digital Citizenship Education is very important because it teaches citizens to use technology in order to engage respectfully online, to find reliable online sources and to avoid the violation of human rights. This can be achieved with schools and businesses implementing programs which will encourage people to expand their technological knowledge and promote human rights online.

Reference list:

[1] Strasburger, Victor C., Marjorie J. Hogan, Deborah Ann Mulligan, Nusheen Ameenuddin, Dimitri A. Christakis, Corinn Cross, Daniel B. Fagbuyi, et al. “Children, Adolescents, and the Media.” American Academy of Pediatrics. American Academy of Pediatrics, November 1, 2013. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/132/5/958/31699/Children-Adolescents-and-the-Media .  

[2] “How Technology in the Classroom Can Impact Student Learning.” Top Hat, May 10, 2022. https://tophat.com/blog/how-does-technology-impact-student-learning/ .  

[3] Western Governors University. “Impact of Technology on Kids Today and Tomorrow.” Western Governors University. Western Governors University, August 25, 2020. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/impact-technology-kids-today-tomorrow1910.html#close .  

[4] “Digital Citizenship and Digital Citizenship Education.” Digital Citizenship Education (DCE). Accessed May 19, 2022.  

[5] “Digital Citizenship in Education.” ISTE. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.iste.org/areas-of-focus/digital-citizenship .  

[6] “The State of Privacy in Post-Snowden America.” Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center, August 17, 2020. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/09/21/the-state-of-privacy-in-america/ .  

[7] Schoology. “4 Benefits of Digital Citizenship for Internet Safety.” Schoology. Schoology, April 2, 2019. https://www.schoology.com/blog/4-benefits-digital-citizenship-internet-safety .  

[8] Jordan, Sam. “Empowering Communities through Teaching Digital Citizenship.” Association of Alaska School Boards, November 18, 2018. https://aasb.org/empowering-communities-through-teaching-digital-citizenship/ .  

[9] Couros, Alec, Hildebrandt, Katia. “Digital Citizenship Education in Saskatchewan Schools.” Accessed May 19, 2022. http://iamstronger.ca/userdata/files/244/DC%20Guide%20-%20ENGLISH%20WEB.pdf .  

[10] Staff, the Premerger Notification Office, and This blog is a collaboration between CTO and DPIP staff and the AI Strategy team. “New Data Shows FTC Received 2.8 Million Fraud Reports from Consumers in 2021.” Federal Trade Commission, February 22, 2022. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/02/new-data-shows-ftc-received-28-million-fraud-reports-consumers-2021-0 .  

[11] Pappas, Stephanie. “Fighting Fake News in the Classroom.” Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association. Accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/career-fake-news .  

[12] “Educational Researcher – Volume 50, Number 8, Nov 01, 2021.” Accessed May 19, 2022. https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/edr/50/8 .  

[13] McClain, Colleen, Emily A. Vogels, Andrew Perrin, Stella Sechopoulos, and Lee Rainie. “The Internet and the Pandemic.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. Pew Research Center, April 28, 2022. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/09/01/the-internet-and-the-pandemic/ .  

[14] “What Is Digital Citizenship?” Avast. Accessed May 20, 2022. https://blog.avast.com/what-is-digital-citizenship-avast .  

[15] Aacap. Social Media and teens. Accessed May 23, 2022. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Social-Media-and-Teens-100.aspx .

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Youth and Digital Citizenship+ (Plus)

Understanding Skills for a Digital World

Alexa Hasse

Andres Lombana-Bermudez

Sandra Cortesi

Have you ever wondered what types of skills young people should learn to meaningfully engage academically, socially, ethically, politically, and economically online? How can schools, educators, and parents and caregivers embrace the opportunities to support young people in becoming digital citizens? 

Understanding the skills youth need for a digital world has become a topic of growing importance among decision-makers around the globe, with different stakeholders and communities rethinking what meaningful learning environments, modes of engagement, and educational content should entail. 

Youth and Digital Citizenship+ (Plus): Understanding Skills for a Digital World — by Sandra Cortesi, Alexa Hasse, Andres Lombana-Bermudez, Sonia Kim, and Urs Gasser — maps the current discourse around youth (ages 12-18) and digital citizenship. The report focuses on several key questions: 

• Why has the concept of digital citizenship become central in discussions about youth, education, and learning in the 21st century? 
• How is the concept of digital citizenship similar to or different from other concepts, such as digital literacy, media literacy, new media literacies, 21st century skills, or digital competence? 
• Based on a mapping of 35 frameworks, what does the current digital citizenship landscape address, and to what extent are youth’s voices included in the development, implementation, and evaluation of digital citizenship initiatives? 
• What are key considerations for learning spaces and meaningful youth engagement?
• How can we address underexplored areas, such as artificial intelligence and data? 

The report accompanies the Youth and Media team’s educational platform , which offers 100+ educational tools that can be implemented in formal or informal learning spaces. 

Youth and Digital Citizenship+ (Plus): Understanding Skills for a Digital World is one of the Youth and Media team’s “spotlights”  — briefing documents that showcase the ways youth engage with the digital landscape, and what opportunities and challenges emerge from it. Additional recent spotlights include “ Youth and Artificial Intelligence: Where We Stand ” and “ Youth and Cyberbullying: Another Look .”

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Youth and Media

Youth and Media (YaM) encompasses an array of research, advocacy, and development initiatives around youth (age 12-18) and digital technology.

Digital Citizenship Is About a Whole Lot More Than Online Etiquette

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Over the years, I’ve fallen in and out of love with the idea of “digital citizenship.” For me, the term still evokes the promise of empowered, online civic action. But so often, in practice, what’s implemented in our schools as “digital-citizenship education” is watered down to a list of dos and don’ts for young people that is hyperfocused on etiquette, warnings about “stranger danger,” and the need to be kind online.

This certainly proved true this spring, in the transition to emergency remote education. I started seeing infographics describing how students might demonstrate digital citizenship in Zoom class meetings. Tips included turning their cameras on, making eye contact, and not eating during the meeting.

I, like so many educators and other professionals, practically lived on video-conferencing platforms this spring. And I didn’t follow those rules. I don’t always keep my camera on (hello, schoolwide faculty meetings!) and I certainly do sometimes have a bite to eat during a meeting, especially on those back-to-back-to-back Zoom days. But I still contributed meaningfully to those spaces.

If those dos and don’ts don’t even accurately describe “professional online etiquette,” why are we holding them up as a model for students to emulate as if that’s what good digital citizenship looks like?

This is just one example of a larger pattern: Digital-citizenship conversations tend to focus almost exclusively on establishing appropriate user behavior. The problem is that this framing papers over the actual challenges of participating in online spaces. In 2020—amid the ongoing debate over content-moderation policies, distrust of expertise, conspiracy theorizing, growing attention on algorithmic bias, and radicalization by digitally savvy far-right communities—our problems online aren’t just the result of users not being polite enough to each other.

We need to move beyond a moralizing digital-citizenship education and toward an ecologically-minded one."

In fact, many examples from the last several months have demonstrated the true complexities of participating online as digital citizens. An early spate of Zoombombing (in some instances, horrifically offensive and potentially traumatic) focused our attention on technical security failures and the need for informed user controls. Students of color have exposed their experiences of racism at private high schools via anonymous social-media sharing, spurring difficult conversations on campuses. Facebook and YouTube claim they’re taking swift action against false information about COVID-19, but networked misinformation campaigns have successfully sidestepped these policies to spread harmful medical advice and sow the seeds of distrust of a future vaccine.

Young Black creators who are turning to TikTok to share content in support of Black Lives Matter not only suspected the platform of suppressing their activist content but also faced racist feedback from other users. (The future of TikTok for American teenagers has grown even more complicated in recent weeks, as President Donald Trump ordered a ban on the app beginning in September—if the inevitable legal challenges from the company fail.)

We’ve seen online organizing co-opted, in one instance by gun-advocacy and -lobbying groups to appear like a grassroots “reopen the economy” movement. In another instance, K-pop fans and TikTok users took credit for the low attendance at Trump’s Tulsa rally in June, after reportedly coordinating to reserve thousands of tickets under fake names. And amid all of this, sudden remote learning has highlighted inequalities in home internet access .

The dominant messages of digital-citizenship education repeated year after year—be kind, THINK before you post, beware of strangers, and, now, don’t eat on camera—do not prepare students to grapple with the type of participation that these examples illustrate. In fact, they miss the point entirely.

How, then, might we redefine digital-citizenship education to meet this moment?

The key might be in where we put our emphasis. In her book Disconnected: Youth, New Media, and the Ethics Gap , sociologist Carrie James draws a distinction between moral and ethical thinking: While moral thinking considers those close to us, ethical thinking demands “the capacity to look beyond one’s own interests, feelings, and empathy for close relations in order to make decisions that are in the interests of a larger group, public, or society.”

The dilemmas users encounter online require this more abstract ethical thinking, yet popular digital-citizenship messaging focuses almost entirely on moral thinking.

The problem is that doing so trains students’ digital senses to only notice the intentional, immediate, or known impact of their choices. In reality, we may never know the impact of our actions online; we may never see where our content travels or understand how that meme we shared has been weaponized by others to target communities we aren’t a part of.

Ecological metaphors may better describe the digital landscape. “Our network connections are as dense and robust as redwood root systems,” writes communications professor Whitney Phillips . “So, in addition to everyday best practices, we must also critically reflect on why the forest looks the way it does, how it was allowed—indeed, how it was encouraged —to become so polluted, and when these particular trails were blazed, by whom, and at whose expense.”

To meet the needs of 2020, we need to move beyond a moralizing digital-citizenship education and toward an ecologically-minded one, one that not only asks students to deeply consider the many and varied implications of their own actions but also how the digital tools and platforms we use create an environment that encourages or discourages truly ethical and equitable participation. In other words, digital citizens must learn to not only be concerned with their own individual actions but also in how these actions fit together and interact within the larger ecosystem. Which means they also need to understand how that ecosystem works .

Of course, that is a more complicated conversation to have. But without this understanding of digital citizenship education, we are not preparing young people to navigate our increasingly digitally-mediated world.

The first step is simple: Let’s stop calling conversations about etiquette and appropriate behavior “digital citizenship,” because it’s not.

True digital citizenship must be developmentally scaffolded and dynamic because the environment online is ever-changing. It will also necessitate an interdisciplinary approach, as we help students participate in an information-abundant, data-rich, historically situated, creative, and emotionally challenging digital ecosystem.

It isn’t good enough to be simply well-intentioned within systems built on injustice and inequity. The same is true of our participation online. We can develop a digital-citizenship education that helps us face the limitations of good intentions and asks students to co-create a more ethical and just digital world.

A version of this article appeared in the September 02, 2020 edition of Education Week as We’re Teaching Digital Citizenship All Wrong

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Q&A: Why digital global citizenship education is essential

As the world celebrates the first  International Day for Digital Learning on 19 March, here is what you need to know about UNESCO’s recent latest publication -  Global citizenship education in a digital age: Teacher guidelines

Why is digital global citizenship important?

In 2023, 79% of world’s youth between the age of 15-24 were using the internet. The role of education, especially through global and digital citizenship, has become increasingly vital. It has the power to equip all learners, especially the youngest ones, with the skills and competencies to effectively access, critically engage with, create, use and share information and knowledge on and through diverse digital technologies, in particular social media platforms. Tools like UNESCO’s new  guidelines for teachers are essential to provide a comprehensive framework for fostering global citizenship through digital literacy. This ensures learners can thrive in this interconnected digital environment. 

Global Citizenship Education (GCED) is a strategic component of UNESCO’s work in education that builds upon the groundwork laid by peace and human rights education, with the aim of nurturing in learners the skills, competencies, values, mindsets and attitudes necessary for responsible global citizenship, including the fostering of criticality, creativity, innovation, common humanity and an unwavering dedication to peace, human rights and sustainable development.

Digital citizenship education, a central element of GCED, emphasizes the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to responsibly navigate the digital sphere. By integrating digital citizenship, media and information literacy, and ethics, this publication seeks to prepare learners to contribute constructively to digital communities globally. 

How are the new guidelines useful for educators?

The guidelines emphasize the importance of ensuring all learners have inclusive access to technology and information, which is vital for their development as responsible digital citizens. This approach acknowledges complexities around the digital divide, emphasizing the necessity of inclusive education that bridges gaps and promotes equitable technology access. By growing skills in areas like critical thinking, ethical decisions and creative problem-solving, the guide aims to shape learners into responsible citizens capable of advancing a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.      The guidelines offer a comprehensive collection of lesson plans, modules and teaching strategies to engage learners and reinforce global digital citizenship competencies. These resources encourage participation in both physical and digital spaces, with an emphasis on addressing global challenges through the Sustainable Development Goals.   Highlighting new teaching roles and responsibilities, the guide provides valuable insights for effectively adapting methods to incorporate technological tools. This fosters student growth in communication, creativity and innovation. For educators navigating this digital terrain, the guidelines serve as a key resource for leveraging technology’s potential to enrich learning and prepare students to engage as responsible global citizens in the physical and digital world.

• Read the publication:  Global citizenship education in a digital age: Teacher guidelines
• Join the  webinar organized for the International Day for Digital Learning (19 March)
• UNESCO’s work in  global citizenship and peace education
• More on  International Day for Digital Learning  

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• A Good Digital Citizen
• Privacy & Safety

Are You a Good Digital Citizen?

A good digital citizen protects their personal information, uses good judgment and treats others with respect. Whether you’re posting on social media, sending an email or commenting on an online discussion, practicing good digital citizenship makes our online world a more welcoming place for everyone.

Examine Your Digital Footprint

Have you ever Googled yourself? You might be surprised by the search results. Your digital footprint is the record left by everything you’ve done online — social media activity, info on a personal or work website, browsing history, online subscriptions and any photo galleries and videos you’ve uploaded — essentially, anything online with your name on it that can be found and tracked by others.

What does that mean exactly? You should probably think twice before doing or posting anything online that you do not want the entire world to know about you.

Roughly 75 % of the U.S. public uses more than one social media platform

Protect Your Privacy

Don’t overshare online. Assume everything you post can be seen and shared by others. Learn more in Privacy & Safety .

Respect Others

Treat others the way you’d want to be treated online. Also, respect their personal information and privacy. Get permission to download or share other people’s information, photos or work. Avoid spreading misinformation. Check the facts before posting.

23 % of adults said they had shared fabricated political stories

Using the Rapid Principle

R espectful.

Treat every moment like a job interview or networking opportunity. Eighty percent of employers “Google” candidates and 35 percent of them don’t make offers because of what they find. Be professional and respectful.

Each task is a chance to show pride and who/what you represent. Your digital footprint is also your brand, personally and professionally. Your content reflects upon you and your family.

The Internet may be the longest relationship you ever have. The Library of Congress began archiving all tweets in 2010. Only post what you are willing to commit to forever.

I NTELLIGENT

Social media puts the world at your fingertips; leverage that power. Listen. Learn. Engage.

D ISTINCTIVE

Be platform specific. Curate what you share specifically to your network and audience.

Be Internet Awesome . A program that includes a fun and free web-based game called Interland and an educational curriculum to teach kids how to be safe and responsible explorers of the online world.

Connect Safely . A variety of resources for learning good online behavior and managing your digital footprint.

EdTechReview. Interesting Facts on Digital Footprint and Reputation

Family Online Safety Institute . An organization dedicated to making the online world safer for kids and families.

Internet Citizen from Mozilla. Resources to help everyone be a better digital citizen.

Medium:  Know Your Social Media Rights

Social Media Tips for a Positive Impression. For parents and families – You can share these tips with your student to help them put their best foot forward on social media.

_________________________________________________________________________

Mining Social Media for Community Health . New Research from the Health Informatics Program at the School of Public Health.

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The 5 Competencies of Digital Citizenship

• Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy

The digital world is evolving rapidly and so must the way we educate students about navigating it. For over a decade now, digital citizenship has been mainly about the don'ts: Don't share your passwords, don't steal the intellectual property of others, don't post or share inappropriate content on social media.

But it's time to rethink that approach, says ISTE CEO Richard Culatta. 

"Far too often, digital citizenship is taught in a negative way  —  here’s the list of all the stuff you should not do online. And while I appreciate the intent behind anti-cyberbullying campaigns, we don’t teach other things as “anti-” in schools. I mean, we don’t have anti-illiteracy campaigns — we teach kids to love to read. Digital Citizenship shouldn’t be a list of don’ts, but a list of do's."

The other way we need to evolve our thinking, Culatta says, is by recognizing that the skills required to thrive as a digital citizen go beyond just online safety. They include recognizing fact from fiction online, using technology to engage in civic action and being respectful of people with differing viewpoints from our own. 

"These are skills that students aren’t learning from watching the adults around them either.," Culatta says. "And so we must challenge ourselves to do better."

That's why ISTE has partnered with some like-minded organizations to redefine digital citizenship. This coalition has launched an international DigCitCommit campaign to get students, educators and their communities familiar with the five competencies of digital citizenship.

Watch the video below and then commit to the five competencies of digital citizenship.

The five competencies of digital citizenship

I am open to hearing and respectfully recognizing multiple viewpoints, and I engage with others online with respect and empathy.

I evaluate the accuracy, perspective, and validity of digital media and social posts.

I use technology and digital channels for civic engagement, to solve problems and be a force for good in both physical and virtual communities.

I make informed decisions about how to prioritize my time and activities online and off.

I am aware of my online actions, and know how to be safe and create safe spaces for others online.

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How to Promote Digital Citizenship in Students

by Lcom Team | Jul 5, 2022 | Blogs

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As students spend more and more time online, digital citizenship is becoming increasingly important for students to master. In this article, we discuss techniques and hands-on exercises for promoting digital citizenship in students.

What is Digital Citizenship?

Digital citizenship includes knowledge, skills and practices to engage safely and responsibly in a digital environment. This is considered an important skill for students to protect them from harmful content, cyberbullying, privacy risks, scams, viruses and more.

8 Ideas for Promoting Digital Citizenship in Students

Implementing digital citizenship into your school’s technology curriculum is an important step to promoting digital literacy in students. However, it is not the only step. Teachers and administrators should also implement tools and processes to promote digital citizenship skills in the classroom and at home.

Student-Created Tutorials

Ask students to create a tutorial or lesson about a specific digital literacy concept. Having them teach other students about digital citizenship can reinforce the skills and values to promote digital citizenship in themselves and others.

Roleplaying Challenges

Present a scenario and ask students how they would respond if they faced the challenge in real-life. Examples may include:

• Someone you met online says they go to a nearby school and asks you for your home address.
• A website pop-up says you’ve won a gift card worth $500 and asks for your personal information.
• You receive an email from a friend saying they’re stuck in a foreign country and need you to send money so they can get home.

Create a Brochure or Ad

Ask students to create a brochure or ad promoting a digital citizenship skill that is important to them. This can include images, step-by-step instructions, details and descriptions, and more.

Create a “Digital Footprint” Art Project

Use this art project as a follow-up to lessons and conversations about the permanence of digital footprints. Have students draw an artistic representation of what they would like their digital footprint to look like, then write a short essay describing what they would–and would not–share to create this digital footprint, and how they believe others (teachers, friends, parents, potential employers) would view that footprint.

Student-Created Posters

Have your students work together to create promotional posters about different aspects of digital citizenship to hang as reminders in the classroom or library. 

Guest Speakers

Invite guest speakers, such as police officers, network security experts, social media managers, child psychologists, or HR professionals into the classroom to talk about how digital citizenship contributes to their area of expertise. For instance, police officers can talk about the real-world dangers that come with sharing personal information online. Social media managers can talk about cyberbullying and trolls. HR professionals can talk about how they screen the social media profiles of potential employees.

Digital Literacy Tracking Project

Create a “tracking sheet” that students can use to track instances of digital illiteracy faux pas over the course of a week. This can include things like trolling, spam emails, or photos that unintentionally include identifying information such as a house number or license plate, etc.

Take the Lesson Home

Ask students to create a list of rules to teach their family about digital literacy. Have them share with the class what their family 

Implement a Digital Literacy Program

Several off-the-shelf digital literacy programs, such as EasyTech, exist to help students learn and master digital literacy. These programs include lessons and concepts, as well as hands-on exercises that help students practice their new skills in real life.

Learning.com Team

Staff Writers

Founded in 1999, Learning.com provides educators with solutions to prepare their students with critical digital skills. Our web-based curriculum for grades K-12 engages students as they learn keyboarding, online safety, applied productivity tools, computational thinking, coding and more.

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April 23, 2024

Privacy Made Simple

The Importance of Responsible Digital Citizenship

Last updated on June 8, 2022

In today’s world, digital technology isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. From entertainment to school and work, it’s almost impossible to exist in modern society without a connection to the online world. With more and more people becoming dependent on the internet for day-to-day activities, it’s become vital to protect your internet privacy and learn the proper tenets of digital citizenship. So who exactly is a digital citizen, and what principles govern responsible digital citizenship?

Who is a Digital Citizen?

A digital citizen is anyone who advocates and adheres to the responsible use of the technology we use every day, like:

•  The Internet
•  Computers
•  Smartphones
• Any Other Digital Devices

A good digital citizen will encourage positive and healthy interactions online, maintaining awareness of common online scams or toxic behavior. They will avoid cyberbullying on social media or other digital platforms, focusing on empathy when interacting with others online.

The 5 Principles of Responsible Digital Citizenship

There are a number of ways you can maintain responsible digital citizenship, with most centering on productive interaction, safe usage, and building a good base of online knowledge. Here are five principles you can use to ensure you remain a digital citizen in good standing.

1.     Understand How the Online World Works  

You wouldn’t step into a car without taking a driving test, yet new people access the internet every day without knowing how it works. On the most basic level, the internet is a series of servers connected by a network of both wired and wireless connections. It’s a miraculous piece of technology, deserving of the same respect we reserve for other modern marvels like air travel or space flight. Take some time to research how the internet works; that way, you can better understand how to conduct yourself while online.

2.     Be Respectful to Other Digital Citizens

Speaking of conduct, let’s talk about interacting with other digital citizens. Much like the real world, you should always practice empathy with anyone you meet online. It isn’t always to see the real person behind an avatar or screen name, which is what makes cyberbullying such a daunting issue. But understand that behind every post and picture is a living, breathing human just like you. If they treat you with respect, you should return the favor.

3.     Be Careful about What You Share  

Empathy is essential, but that doesn’t mean you should blindly trust anyone you meet online. Skepticism is especially important for students and other vulnerable members of society like the elderly. Don’t share your address, photos, or any personal information with someone you interact with on the internet unless you are 100% sure you know them. Otherwise, you may fall prey to one of the many scams that plague the digital world.

4.     Keep an Eye Out for Scams

There are numerous ways cybercriminals can scam someone online; luckily, many of these scams can be avoided with the right knowledge and tools. Here are three common scams you should look out for.

•   Phishing : one of the more common online threats, phishing involves a scammer impersonating someone you may trust and sending you a malicious link. Remember, always confirm what a link contains before you click, even if the person is a friend!
•   Fake Websites: Especially common with shopping websites, cybercriminals will create a fake site to require you to enter personal information . Always use trusted marketplaces , and check the URL closely before entering any credit card information.
• Tech Support Scams: One that has grown recently in popularity, fake tech support agents will often ask for login information or remote access to your computer. They will then ask for money to fix your computer; this is a red flag! A real tech support agent won’t usually ask for any payment.

5.     Protect Your Data and Identity

If you accidentally share personal information or reveal facts about your identity, don’t panic. There are free tools you can use, like an identity threat scan, to see whether your data has been compromised. If it has, you can see what has happened to your information and take the appropriate steps to stop any fraudulent activity. 

How to Spread Digital Literacy

Educating others, especially students, about the benefits of digital literacy will help us establish a better online space for all digital citizens. Lessons about how to be digitally literate should start early before a child begins using the internet. The earlier and more comprehensive this education is, the lower the chance that a student will fall prey to an internet scam. By facilitating safe exposure to digital technology and walking new users through a period of trial and error, we can ensure that the internet will become a safe and positive environment for growth.

The Digital Age is Upon Us

There is no denying it; the internet will only become more intertwined with our lives as time goes on. That’s why digital citizenship and internet privacy are more crucial than ever; we need to teach students early about the right way to engage with others online. By doing so, we can maintain their healthy well-being and show everyone how to interact safely in social, professional, and educational communities. 

About the author

David Lukić is an information privacy, security and compliance consultant at IDstrong.com . The passion to make cyber security accessible and interesting has led David to share all the knowledge he has.

Published in Online Privacy

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Digital Citizenship Definition and Problems Proposal

Digital citizenship definition, problem of digital citizenship implementation, literature review, purpose of the study, theoretical framework, methodology.

Nowadays more and more students interact with the digital content for learning so that the concept of the digital citizenship is becoming one of the most relevant issues. Digital citizens have the same rights and responsibilities as ordinary citizens of the country including the right to study at university, to acquire real estate, or to learn. In this connection, the paper is devoted to the proposal of the digital citizenship necessity and its safe implementation including such integral aspects as digital literacy, etiquette, tolerance to other digital citizens, appropriate referencing, and others and resulting in the design of the methodology for the prospective study, the aim of which is to examine the level of the digital citizenship competence among students.

The digital citizenship, also known as the e-citizenship, involves regular access to networks and their effective use that require several conditions such as the presence of access to the Internet, the availability of computers or gadgets, the ability to use technology properly, and, last but not least, the critical thinking skills to evaluate the reliability of information that can be found online. More precisely, the digital citizenship is a new developmental stage of the society and technology that is associated with the impact of digital and communication technologies (Searson, Hancock, Soheil, & Shepherd, 2015).

The Internet becomes a factor of socialization and modernization of education changing the very paradigm of acquiring knowledge and skills. The variability of the digital education allows focusing on individual, group, and distance trajectories.

Who is a digital citizen? A digital citizen is a confident user of the digital technology, who uses it to participate in educational, cultural, and economic activities of the digital community. He develops critical thinking skills in cyberspace and competently speaks the language of the community. The digital citizen communicates with others demonstrating honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior. He respects the concepts of privacy and freedom of expression in the digital world and actively promotes the value of the e-citizenship.

It goes without saying that the digital citizenship has great opportunities for learning and self-development. However, there are a set of problems related to the development of the Internet and the digital citizenship, in particular, which are pointed out below. The first problem concerns the provision of the information credibility. A wide range of educational resources offer new forms of social integration and social space practices on the Internet. In this connection, it is crucial to increase the digital competence of teachers, who would transfer the acquired knowledge to students (Hicks, Lee, Berson, Bolick, & Diem, 2014).

Therefore, the improvement of the digital literacy of teachers and reducing existing gap between them and students should be addressed. Teachers should be aware of broad possibilities of the Internet as a source of information and communication. What is more important, the second problem of teachers’ realization of the content, communication, and technical risks of the global network should be enhanced as well as they influence students’ psychological state, personality development, and socialization processes (Hicks et al., 2014). Taking into account all the above mentioned recommendations, special programs to improve the digital literacy of students are needed in the context of the overall educational program. The methodological support of teachers in their integration into the digital world also matters (Ribble & Miller, 2013).

The third problem is the access and use of the digital technology both in classroom and during the distance learning. One more problem is keeping students interested in the e-citizenship. For example, the digital education based on game tools and techniques consisting of alternate reality games (ARG), massively multiplayer online games (MMO), and global strategies (a genre of computer games that allow the opportunity to manage the entire state or civilization) might be useful (Hill, 2015).

The next problem of the security and safety of students in the online environment is the core of the proposal. There is a basic set of rights and responsibilities such as privacy, freedom of speech, and others that apply to all digital citizens. Let us consider the above aspect of the digital citizenship in detail. The safe use of the online content both in the classroom and home environments focuses on legal and ethical standards (Missingham, 2009). It is very significant to understand that it is not just about basic computer skills or expanding horizons about the possibilities of using the Internet services but also about the habits of communicative behavior while working on the Web and the use of web-based tools.

First, it is necessary to identify key factors of the digital education development. Technology becomes a tool that increasingly expands teaching and learning opportunities, means of communication, and socialization of students. The digital equality is currently regarded as the educational factor: those with technological skills have more opportunities for a successful start. At the same time, values of innovation and creativity are precipitously rising.

Searson et al. (2015) claim that the learning environment changes dramatically and expands from the classroom to the interdisciplinary communities, whose members are engaged, communicate, and collaborate virtually with the help of technologies. Thus, there is a growing interest in innovative areas of education such as online training, mentoring, and independent research

The diversity of the digital citizenship makes it even more attractive. For instance, flexible displays are considered an important new technology in education. Thin interactive displays and embedded boards might be integrated into a variety of subjects. Besides, tablet computers with big screens and rich interface make the ideal tool for presentations, content sharing, video, and images as they are easy to use and visually expressive. It is also quite important to note that the 3D printer is a device that uses a method of creating layered physical objects based on a virtual 3D model. Such a technology allows creating virtual three-dimensional models.

The research conducted in recent years by Ribble (2009) show that the rapid mastery of the Internet by students is associated with the lack of awareness of both the risks and threats of the digital world and the possibility of coping with them. According to Ribble (2009), a former teacher, university lecturer, the author of “Digital Citizenship in Schools”, and the creator of the digitalcitizenship.org resource, each digital citizen should have nine basic skills listed below.

Students come to university already knowing how to use electronic devices. However, do they understand how to use electronic devices properly? The evidence dictates that students should begin learning the rules of the digital citizenship at primary school throughout high school and put it in the curriculum. Today students get some skills, watch presentations, but they are not in the curriculum and students are to forget about it. Ribble (2009) states that such learning is necessary to educate the digital citizens. As a basis for the e-learning, the author offers nine fundamental elements of the e-citizenship that are represented in Figure 1.

Let us consider each of the elements in detail.

• Digital access assumes the electronic participation in digital society that includes equal access to technology for everyone and provides an understanding of what are the limitations and drawbacks when this access is not provided. In other words, the digital openness “implies that everybody could reach information which support civic and personal decisions” (Simsek & Simsek, 2013, p. 132).
• Digital commerce reflects how to be effective consumers in the digital economy and to be able to make informed decisions about purchases of both digital goods and other products online (Simsek & Simsek, 2013).
• Digital communication suggests how to choose a way to communicate with others. Ohler (2010) considers that “digital communities might not be local, but they feel local. Members of digital gatherings feel they belong to a real community, and thus project themselves into cyberspace in ways that have meaning and emotional significance” (p. 42). For example, if one needs to send an e-mail or communicate through social networks, he or she would restrict the inappropriate communication.
• Digital literacy reveals the need to know how to learn in a digital society. It includes the efficient use of various techniques and Internet applications. According to Ribble and Miller (2013), “Awareness means engaging students to become technologically literate” (p. 16). The digital citizens should have the opportunity to learn new skills as needed.
• Digital etiquette reflects the notion of inappropriate behavior on the Internet as well as the need to know how to behave appropriately so that other digital citizens feel comfortable and safe.
• Digital law explains how to use the technology in accordance with the law. In particular, digital citizens should not hack the information, download music illegally, use plagiarism, send spam, and engage in identity or funds theft.
• Digital rights and responsibilities. Digital citizens need to take into account the virtual Bill of Rights. Issues such as privacy, freedom of speech, and others are also applicable to digital citizens.
• Digital health and wellness. Digital citizens should know how to protect themselves from the dangers inherent in the technology. “Ideally cyber wellness elevates policy and practice to a more balanced level, where students can function productively in digital environments, yet, within a safe environment” (Searson et al., 2015, p. 738). Basically, the mentioned issue answers the questions of how to save eyesight and hearing or how to avoid overstrain syndrome and psychological problems such as the Internet addiction.
• Digital security. Digital citizens cannot think that they are completely safe on the Internet. It is necessary to take care of the digital security creating secure passwords, using data backup, anti-virus protection, and other measures.

In this connection, the critical approach to assessing the reliability of the information found on the Internet involves a set of the essential gradation components: students’ awareness of the need to evaluate the credibility of Internet sources and assessment of the accuracy of the sources; teacher’s evaluation of the accuracy of the sources and motivation of students so that they are also guided by the principles of critical appraisal of sources.

There is also need to be aware of and avoid the Internet addiction (Rooij & Prause, 2014). As for the referencing and citation, students should be aware of the obligatory need for it, they should index and quote sources used in their work correctly on the basis of generally accepted rules of the particular referencing style. Consequently, students should be aware of the need to respect copyright and licenses.

In order to design and implement the digital citizenship implementation program that would provide effective digital learning, it is essential to assure the safety and security of the learning process. Seeing the above literature review, I would like to study deeply the given concept of the digital citizenship from the ethical view to add to the growing body of literature related to technology-rich teaching and learning. In particular, I would like to address the following research questions in my prospective research:

• Focus Question 1. Do students know where to find quality information on the Internet? Additional Questions: What resources do teachers need to get to share quality information with students? How should the Internet be utilized in the classroom environment?
• Focus Question 2. What is cyberbullying? Additional Questions: How can students secure themselves in the online environment? What should students remember of the term of cyberbullying?
• Focus Question 3. What are online etiquette peculiarities? Additional Questions: Do students should follow rules when working online? How do students know what is appropriate to do online?
• Focus Question 4. Do students use technologies too much? Additional Questions: Where can students gain the information about the use of technologies? How much can group mates affect the use of certain technologies? Is there the increase of mental processes speed or the formation of neural connections deficit? Does the Internet necessary for success in the education?
• Focus Question 5. Is there the devaluation of the concept of “friendship” and avoidance of real communication? Does the digital citizenship mean the excessive network or a new way of life? Does the change of the mechanisms of thinking, attention, memory, perception, and speech make the excess of information or adapt to previously unimaginable amounts of information and communication?

Accordingly, the purpose of the paper might be formulated in the following way: the study is devoted to examining the ethics of the digital citizenship accurately and appropriately applying the concepts of Ribble and other scholars and conduct the research among students to examine their ethical level concerning various forms of the digital citizenship resulting in the recommendations and suggestions that would enhance it.

In other words, I would like to investigate students’ digital competence to design a comprehensive digital citizenship curriculum. Such research would integrate both theoretical and practical investigations to achieve more precise results. The importance of the proposed study is obvious taking into account that there are plenty of cases of inappropriate and illegal use of the Internet and digital technology in general. Above all, there is a need to guarantee the safe learning environment and increase the awareness of both teachers and students. Besides, the findings of the research might be beneficial to detect any gaps and limitations to eliminate them in future investigations.

Since the purpose of the research is to examine the competence level of the digital citizenship among students and provide adequate recommendations, the following variables are identified: digital citizenship (independent variable) and competence level (dependent variable). It is anticipated that there will be differences in the quantity and / or quality of various aspects of the competence. A cross-sectional survey framework will be used to collect and analyze descriptive and quantitative data regarding the chosen topic.

The forms of the e-citizenship access adopted in the university and their impact on students’ learning will be analyzed based on questionnaires with closed-ended questions. According to Bryman (2012), the cross-sectional survey allows determining the possible changes and will either support or refute the anticipated outcomes with nominal and ordinal evidence that can be discussed with a reasonable degree of reliability. For this study, survey questionnaires are a cost and time effective way to request opinions and behaviors of students and their use of digital technology for learning.

Every research needs a study design before starting, because it is an integral part of the research. Therefore, there is a need to determine the methodology of the possible investigation.

Epistemological, Theoretical, and Methodological Research Perspectives

The Internet and digital technology are rapidly changing not only the science but life itself. Due to satellite communications, any citizen of the world can communicate with family and friends or find almost any requested information (Ohler, 2010). Most recently, the printed book was valued as an indispensable element of culture, but today’s young people increasingly prefer to use electronic resources.

To briefly summarize the epistemological perspective of the study, one can reduce it to a rethinking of the paramount concepts such as the subject of knowledge, the conditions of cognition, consciousness, and communication as well as a new vision of old problems of subject and object relations, truths and values, language and consciousness, and fundamental human rights. The first direction is associated with the construction and description of global web community’s safe development. The second direction is seen as a virtual image of the world as the digital citizenship environment becomes the universal communicative and informative space, where citizens’ rights and responsibilities should be accomplished.

The methodological perspective of the research reflects the fact that it cannot be based only on the central theories of such sciences as philosophy, sociology, semiotics, psychology, cognitive science, and requires its own theoretical framework that goes beyond the simple description of objects and their random classifications. The complexity of the situation is that no generally accepted theories in the field of the digital citizenship exist, even at the level of common discourse. Consequently, the research is expected to promote the establishment of uniform methodological ground to some extent.

As for the theoretical perspective , in the descriptions of the digital citizenship, one might find different notions, which are not always identifiable in terms of its conceptual accessories, though gradually it is possible to detect the description languages and their substantive focus. However, terminology rows go into the conceptual ones transferring to the next question of the paradigmatic relatedness that is aimed at the identification of the basic approaches and objects of the study analysis principles. In this regard, the study will contribute to answer to several questions such as how to describe and study the competence in digital citizenship or what are the adequate tools to analyze it?

Possible Participants

The purposive sampling will be used for the research. Two or three departments or universities will be contacted to participate in the research. Students of different sexes, ethnicities, and races will be interviewed on their approaches to using digital technology for learning. Overall, it seems appropriate to interview approximately 150 students from different departments and, perhaps, universities. It seems that the less number of interviewee would lead to the incorrect results.

Methods of Inquiry

Interviews will be used to collect more detailed information about the digital citizenship competence. A semi-structured interview will be employed to collect the required information from students.

In addition, I consider that it is a good idea to initiate anonymous questionnaire with the help of the special website. For example, Google Forms or Survey Monkey are useful and comprehensible tools to create specific survey and analyze results.

Study Reliability

In the framework of growing significance of learning through the digital media, it seems appropriate to investigate this field. The educational potential of the digital citizenship is high and empowers students to engage in the global research community (Simsek & Simsek, 2013). The adequate interpretation and modeling of large volumes of information along with data mining might improve learning adapting it to the individual needs and abilities of students. The competent digital citizenship would create safe collaborative environment of online resources that contain tutorials, tools, and other materials to provide effective learning.

Possible Method of Analysis

In my research, I would like to use the mixed design of the investigation. A qualitative method involves the collection of information in a free form; it focuses on the understanding, explanation, and interpretation of empirical data that is the source of speculation and productive ideas. Bryman (2012) states that the quantitative method comprises conducting various surveys based on the use of structured questions of closed type, which corresponds to a large number of respondents. The principal objective of the quantitative research is to obtain a numerical estimate of the issue or the reaction of respondents towards it.

For example, it would be better if the number of students would be accompanied the explanation of the situation. Therefore, the study will utilize a mixed methods approach in order to collect the data for analysis that allows collecting both descriptive statistical data through the use of a survey or questionnaire, as well as take advantage of the “richer data” that can be expected from qualitative interviews. After that, I would like to interpret and understand the results to make relevant conclusions and contribute to some extent to the digital citizenship appropriateness.

To conclude, this paper proposes the study of appropriate digital citizenship implementation among students. Through the literature review, I identified key problems and chose the problem of the digital citizenship competence among students for the further deeper examination. The proposal suggests several research questions that embrace a number of essential issues concerning the ethics of the chosen topic.

It was stated that the purpose of the study is to scrutinize the competence level of the digital citizenship among students and provide sufficient suggestions to enhance it. In order to achieve the desired outcome, the proposal includes the methodology part that describes in detail such significant elements of the study as participants, research design, methods of analysis, and others. All in all, the paper involves the comprehensible preliminary research proposal.

Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods (4th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Hicks, D., Lee, J., Berson, M., Bolick, C., & Diem, R. (2014). Guidelines for Using Technology to Prepare Social Studies Teachers. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 14 (4), 433-450.

Hill, V. (2015). Digital citizenship through game design in Minecraft. New Library World, 116 (7/8), 369-382.

Missingham, R. (2009). Encouraging the digital economy and digital citizenship. The Australian Library Journal, 58 (4), 386-399.

Ohler, J. (2010). Digital community, digital citizen . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Ribble, M. (2009). Passport to Digital Citizenship. Learning & Leading with Technology, 2 (1), 1-17.

Ribble, M., & Miller, T. N. (2013). Educational Leadership in an Online World: Connecting Students to Technology Responsibly, Safely, and Ethically. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 17 (1), 137-145.

Rooij, A. V., & Prause, N. (2014). A critical review of “Internet addiction” criteria with suggestions for the future. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 3 (4), 203-213.

Searson, M., Hancock, M., Soheil, N., & Shepherd, G. (2015). Digital citizenship within global contexts. Education and Information Technologies, 20 (4), 729-741.

Simsek, E., & Simsek, A. (2013). New Literacies for Digital Citizenship. Online Submission, Contemporary Educational Technology, 4 (3), 126-137.

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What is digital citizenship?

Digital citizenship is when a person uses the internet in a legal, safe, ethical and responsible way .

Digital citizenship means:

• behaving lawfully – for example, it’s a crime to hack, steal, illegally download or cause damage to other people’s work, identity or property online
• protecting your privacy and managing your reputation
• thinking about how your online activities affect yourself, other people you know, and the wider online community.

Responsible digital citizenship is different from the skills you need to make informed decisions about the content you use and trust. These skills are part of media or digital literacy.

What children and teenagers get out of being digital citizens

When they’re online, children and teenagers are mostly social , engaging with content and people.

For example, games like Minecraft allow children to work with others to build new worlds. And platforms like TikTok , Instagram , Messenger , Twitch and Snapchat help teenagers maintain friendships, share experiences and support peers. This culture of communicating and sharing helps children and teenagers feel connected to a larger global community.

As digital citizens, teenagers express themselves by sharing and posting comments, images and videos. They can explore who they are and take action on issues they care about. They might do this by engaging in social causes like climate change, joining or creating online communities, or creating content like videos or memes.

Sometimes the anonymity of the internet can be a bonus – for example, if teenagers want to explore aspects of their identity or get help with issues they’re worried or embarrassed about.

Finally, the internet gives teenagers access to news and information , and many turn to the internet first to understand themselves and the world.

Children and teenagers connect socially both online and offline, but they might do things online that challenge your ideas about what’s normal or OK. This is often about discovery and self-expression, which are important for your child’s development.

Key messages for safe and responsible digital citizenship

These key messages can encourage your child to be safe and responsible online, while still having fun:

• Be respectful – and expect respect.
• Protect your reputation.
• Protect your privacy.
• Think critically.

Be respectful – and expect respect

Respect for yourself and other people is important in all relationships, and it’s no different when you’re online.

You can encourage your child to treat online friends with as much respect as face-to-face friends . Part of this is not creating or forwarding nasty or humiliating emails, images or text messages about someone else. It’s also refusing to take part in mean or negative online discussions about other people.

You can encourage your child to tell you or another trusted adult if they see someone being bullied or attacked online. Young people often try to sort things out for themselves, but it’s good to encourage your child to talk with you if they’re worried about something online. It might help your child to know that things are easier to sort out when other people help.

If your child gets any nasty or bullying comments, they should  block or unfriend people who don’t treat them with respect .

It’s often hard to ‘read’ emotion in posts and emails, and jokes can easily be misinterpreted. You can encourage your child to ‘stop, think, review’ before they send a message or post an online comment. Using emojis or hashtags can help, but these might have more than one meaning.

Protect your reputation

Make sure your child understands the consequences of posting photos and videos and uploading personal content,. Once this content is online, it’s very hard to get rid of and can become part of your child’s permanent online reputation. Also, photos and other content can be altered or shared without your child’s permission.

You can encourage your child to think about the online content or behaviour their future self might be comfortable with. For example, you could say, ‘Some videos or posts might seem OK to you now, but you might feel differently about them in the future and not want people to see them’.

Depending on your child’s age, you could agree that they show you posts, images and other content before they upload them.

Protect your privacy

There are several ways your child can protect their privacy:

• Share only as much personal information as necessary. For example, it’s not compulsory to enter your year of birth, mobile number, email address or city on all online forms.
• Keep privacy settings up to date on social media sites, so your child’s profile isn’t publicly available.
• Keep passwords private.
• Check the location settings and services on smartphones, tablets and apps. Turn off the location services your child doesn’t need.
• Read the terms and conditions of apps to understand what data the apps collect about your child and how the apps distribute that data.
• Don’t use public wi-fi for posting on social media or messaging, because the connection is public and can be hacked.

Think critically

There are many dodgy people, places and offers online.

Not everyone online is who they say they are. It’s important for your child to be careful about what they share with people they don’t know.

If something seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. You and your child can find out how to recognise, avoid and report scams on Scamwatch , a website run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). You can also use the ABC’s Fact Check to check the accuracy of claims by politicians, public figures, advocacy groups and institutions.

If your child isn’t sure about a site’s credibility, they can ask themselves some critical questions . For example, ‘Whose interest does this site serve?’ or ‘How accurate and reliable is what I’m reading?’ The answers can help your child work out which sites and offers are dodgy and which have accurate news and content.

Your child should also be careful about clicking pop-ups on websites. Some pop-ups that seem safe can lead to porn sites or are scams that collect personal or financial information.

Having regular, relaxed and respectful conversations with your child is the best way to help your child make good decisions about online behaviour. You could talk about using social media responsibly, cyberbullying , sexting and avoiding online pornography .

Ashland High School senior is local Daughters of the American Revolution essay winner

SHERBORN — An Ashland High School senior has been selected as this year's Framingham chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution local essay winner.

Emily Umholtz was selected from among seven area Good Citizen winners and selected by judges not affiliated with the DAR. She is a Student Council representative, a 2024 class officer and has been a captain for two years for ultimate frisbee.

Her future plans include attending college to major in chemistry, with a sub-focus in law and justice.

Umholtz was honored in February during the DAR's Good Citizen Award Ceremony at The Sherborn 1858 Town House.

Each year, the Framingham chapter of the DAR invites seven schools to participate in its Good Citizen Program.

Other students selected as Good Citizen winners by their schools included Alivia Toure, of Bellingham High School; Lunah Semprum, of Framingham High School; Reese Holmes, of Holliston High School; William Adamski, of Hopedale Junior-Senior High School; Caroline Kane, of Hopkinton High School); and Robert Lyons Jr., of Milford High School.

Each school’s faculty and student body committee choose one student from their senior class to become their school’s Good Citizen; students are recognized and awarded by the Framingham chapter of the DAR. Each Good Citizen must have and maintain the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

During the ceremony, Master Sgt. Andrew Baumgartner, of West Point Military Academy, served as guest speaker. He spoke of his love of education and his experiences during his years of service.

Also speaking was Vice President General of DAR Paula Renkas.

Digital Citizenship Essays

Analyzing and improving school districts’ community partnerships and communication strategies for equity, inclusion, and digital citizenship, popular essay topics.

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