Digital Citizenship

 Digital citizenship is of the utmost importance in the modern classroom and has gained attention in the last few years (Öztürk, 2021). Digital citizenship can be defined as being aware of the dangers that can occur during online use while also being aware of one's digital footprint and how to be a responsible citizen online. As teachers, teachers must prepare students to be responsible citizens when using online platforms. Knowing that students are participating as opposed to just consuming information online helps to prepare them to be digital citizens. When we break down digital citizenship, Mike Ribble describes nine different elements as a framework for the makeup of a good digital citizen, which include the following: “digital access, digital commerce, digital communication, digital literacy, digital etiquette, digital law, digital rights and responsibilities, digital health and wellness, digital security” (2015). Ultimately, focusing on ethical behavior, safe actions, responsible participation, and good decision-making makes for a well-rounded digital citizen. 

The International Society for Technology Education has developed standards for technology education. The ISTE standard 2.3 is based on citizenship (Educators, n.d.). This standard is based on promoting positive actions and additions to online or digital platforms. It also encourages educators to model safe online practices to students in addition to promoting the protection of student information. Finally, this standard focused on ensuring that teachers are teaching the ethical use of technology and digital platforms. Teachers must be using the concepts that are mentioned in the ISTE standard 2.3 through modeling, integrating into all curriculum or subject areas, teaching about the long-lasting effect of their digital footprint, engaging guardians, and encouraging critical thinking when using technology to ensure that students are understanding and applying digital citizenship.

All in all, teaching digital citizenship is of the utmost importance in the digital age that we are living in. While it is important that educators are modeling and showing responsibility when it comes to being a digital citizen, it is also important that parents are also modeling and promoting digital citizenship at home. Ultimately, parents and teachers alike want students to have the skills to be responsible, educated, ethical, and digital citizens. 


References: 

Educators. ISTE. (n.d.). https://iste.org/standards/educators 

Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know. International Society for Technology in Education. 

Öztürk, G. (2021). Digital citizenship and its teaching: A literature review. Journal of Educational Technology & Online Learning, 4(1), 31-45.


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