Digital Citizenship Today
Dictionary.com defines digital citizenship as “a person who develops the skills and knowledge to effectively use the internet and other digital technology, especially in order to participate responsibly in social and civic activities”
I think a better way to explain it would be “responsible uses of technology, and the internet while engaging within society.”
Top 4 Elements to being a GOOD digital citizen
- Digital Etiquette: “Electronic standards of conduct or procedures and has to do with the process of thinking about others when using digital devices.” (Ribble) This means thinking about what you are commenting and post on social media and how it will affect others on the platforms.
- Digital Fluency: This is being able to understnad technology and how it can be used for good or bad. It also means using for good and not to hurt someone else.
- Digital Communications/Collaboration: The ability to use technology to communicate and work with others.
- Digital Security and Privacy: Being aware of where you are entering your information as well as what websites you are going on.
News and Media Literacy…
One of the most difficult things to learn when becoming a good digital citizen is gain knowledge of what is real and what is not. The internet has become a place where everybody is free to post and comment pretty much whatever they want. This creates a problem when people can post misinformation and fabrications of the truth. It is important to do research on a topic instead of reading a couple sentences or the title of an article you see on Facebook. It also important for people to learn not to spread misinformation themselves and not to post things that aren’t true because it easily could be tricking someone.
Digital Literacy vs Digital Citizenship
While they may sound the same digital literacy and digital citizenship are fairly different. “Digital literacy refers to fluency in the use and security of interactive digital tools and searchable networks. … Digital citizenship is defined as the norms of appropriate, responsible behavior when using technology.” (Brangoccio & Deye) It is also important to note that digital citizenship affects the community more than digital literacy because digital literacy is more-so how to use the internet rather than the ethics and norms behind the internet.
Digital Citizenship in Education
In a time where technology and social media rules the world for many kids and teens it is of the utmost importance we teach digital citizenship within our classrooms. While kids may know how to use and search the internet they are not yet fully aware of the dangers on the internet. It is important to teach them not to trust everything the read and everyone they meet online as well as not to give out personal information on these platforms or directly to anyone else.
Works Cited
Deye, Sunny, and Kathy Brangoccio. Promoting Digital Literacy and Citizenship in School, Feb. 2017, www.ncsl.org/research/education/promoting-digital-literacy-and-citizenship-in-school.aspx.
McGuire, Brooke. “Digital Citizenship: What It Means, How to Teach It, and the Resources You Need.” Ace.edu, 8 Jan. 2019, www.ace.edu/blog/post/2019/01/08/digital-citizenship-what-it-means-how-to-teach-it-and-the-resources-you-need.
Ottesen, Julia. “New ‘Digital Citizenship’ Curriculum Helps Students Become Responsible Tech Users.” EdScoop, 18 Oct. 2018, edscoop.com/new-digital-citizenship-curriculum-helps-students-become-responsible-tech-users/.
Ribble, Mike. “Nine Elements.” Digital Citizenship, 2017, www.digitalcitizenship.net/nine-elements.html.
