Digital citizenship is the act of being a citizen in an online community or space. An individual can be both a good or a bad digital citizen depending on the habits they show online. Good digital citizens create meaningful and respectful relationships with other individuals in an online setting. Conversely, bad digital citizens may engage in negative activities These negative activities may include acts such as cyberbullying or irresponsible social media usage. The goal of a digital citizenship education program should be to create positive digital experiences for all individuals involved.
This video provides a fast introduction to what digital citizenship is:
What Is Digital Citizenship from Common Sense on YouTube.
9 Elements of Digital Citizenship
According to digitalcitizenship.net, there are nine elements we should be exploring in our classrooms.
Element 1: Digital Access
As educators, we must be aware of students that do and do not have ready access to digital tools. It is not enough to incorporate digital resources into our teaching, rather we must find ways for students with limited access to devices, internet, etc. to gain access both at school and at home.
Element 2: Digital Commerce
As students engage in digital activity, it is important to teach them safe and appropriate ways to purchase goods and services in an online setting. As students get older and begin entrepreneurial ventures of their own, teachers should help them explore safe, effective, and fiscally responsible ways to sell goods and services, as well as obtain payment for them.
Element 3: Digital Communication and Collaboration
Clear communication should be the goal whether online, in person, or through any other mode. Good digital citizens know how to effectively communicate their ideas and beliefs with others. While digital means can serve as a way to help students find a voice, it is important that students also understand the consequences of what they say and how to say what they mean in an effective and productive way.
Element 4: Digital Etiquette
One of the biggest problems all people face with digital citizenship is the feeling of fearlessness and inconsequence that comes from speaking from a place of anonymity. Students must learn how to engage in positive interactions with others and how to avoid cyberbullying. Students need to understand that while in a digital environment the human element of interaction is reduced, there are still humans on the other side of digital devices. What they say and how they say it matters.
Element 5: Digital Fluency
Students that understand technology and its uses have a tendency to engage in more positive online experiences. Digital literacy is an important part of digital fluency, which means students can critically think to discern whether information obtained online is real and reliable, or if it is poorly sourced or made up. Now, more than ever, it is critical that students understand how to obtain good information from digital sources and think critically about the information they obtain.
Element 6: Digital Health and Welfare
One problem seen with the increase in access to digital devices is the inability of the user to establish and maintain a healthy relationship with technology. Teaching digital health means helping students understand the importance of boundaries such as time limits, as well as encouraging them to participate in digital activities that promote positive health and welfare while staying away from activities that cause stress or anxiety.
Element 7: Digital Law
Students must understand that, just as in the real world, there are policies and regulations that govern actions and consequences online. It is important students understand the dangers of activities such as cyberbullying and sexting, as well as the legal ramifications these interactions can have.
Element 8: Digital Rights and Responsibilities
As students are extended the right and privilege of digital device access, it is important they understand the nature of the responsibility that comes along with online usage. Students should be taught to responsibly use the products, as well as how to help others and when it is appropriate to ask for adult intervention or assistance.
Element 9: Digital Security and Privacy
Students must be taught how to maneuver in an online space safely. Issues such as viruses and worms can move from device to device, so it is important to teach students how to watch for and avoid these problems. Privacy online is also a vital area to address since many of our students are not yet legal adults. Students must know how to post information about themselves responsibly, as well as how to maintain the privacy of others. Finally, teaching students practices such as developing strong passwords is essential for ensuring their safety online.
This video does a good job summarizing the 9 elements and explaining digital citizenship.
The Nine elements of Digital Citizenship from Pratish Natverlal on YouTube.
How can we continually teach digital citizenship?
Here are some basic ideas to go over with your students. The more opportunities they have to utilize these skills, the sharper they will become.
1. Help students determine what is right and what is wrong.
Teach a lesson that focuses on interactions between people online. Let students determine if they are examples of good or bad digital citizenship and why. Be sure to include examples that blur the line; these situations are very common in the real world!
2. Build an understanding of the digital footprint.
Students need to know that everything they do online will be there forever. During online activities, it is important that teachers reinforce the idea of the digital footprint and the impact it can have on people much further down the road. Using real-life examples from politicians, celebrities, etc. is a great way to reinforce the concept.
3. Frequently discuss safety.
Students need to know safety rules for online and what to do if they think someone breaks them. Encourage students not to engage with strangers online. Set rules and procedures about cyberbullying and what to do if someone is being bullied.
4. Teach copyright now.
A vital twenty-first-century skill for students is knowing what information can be utilized and how to cite it. Students should be exposed to copyright rules at a young age. Ensuring students know what is right and wrong in terms of usage is vital.
5. Reinforce and model good digital citizenship.
Providing students with videos, lessons, and examples of good digital citizenship are the best way to ensure they pick up good habits. The video below is an example of a digital citizenship pledge that could be used periodically with younger students to remind them of expectations before going online.
We the Digital Citizens from Common Sense Education on YouTube.
Need additional resources?
7 Key Concepts of Digital CItizenship by Applied Educational Systems
Everything You Need to Teach Digital Citizenship by Common Sense Education