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What is Digital Citizenship?
Digital citizenship is a concept that circulates through the digital world and pertains to responsible usage of modern technology. Similar to acting in appropriate manners in society, the same requirements should be met in the digital world. Both students and teachers who regularly use the internet can be considered digital citizens. Consequently, they must act responsibility, display etiquette, and respect the privacy of others as well as themselves. Teachers have a responsibility of educating students to become proper digital citizens in conjunction with their daily lessons. According to Solove (2004) there are nine elements of a digital citizen, which are:
Element 1: Digital Access This is perhaps one of the most fundamental blocks to being a digital citizen. However, due to socioeconomic status, location, and other disabilities- some individuals may not have digital access. Recently, schools have been becoming more connected with the internet, often offering computers, and other forms of access. This can be offered through kiosks, community centers, and open labs. This most often is associated with the digital divide and factors associated with such.
Element 2: Digital Commerce This is the ability for users to recognize that much of the economy is regulated online. It also deals with the understanding of the dangers and benefits of online buying, using credit cards online, and so forth. As with the advantages and legal activities- there is also dangerous activities such as illegal downloads, gambling, drug deals, pornography, plagiarism, and so forth.
Element 3: Digital Communication This element deals with understanding the variety of online communication mediums such as email, instant messaging, Facebook messenger, the variety of apps, and so forth. There is a standard of etiquette associated with each medium.
Element 4: Digital Literacy This deals with the understanding of how to use various digital devices. For example, how to properly search for something on a search engine versus a database. How to use various online logs. Oftentimes many educational institutions will help form an individual’s digital literacy.
Element 5: Digital Etiquette As discussed in the third element, digital communication, this is the expectation that various mediums require a variety of etiquette. Certain mediums demand more appropriate behavior and language than others.
Element 6: Digital Law This is where enforcement occurs for illegal downloads, plagiarizing, hacking, creating viruses, sending spams, identity theft, cyberbullying, and so forth.
Element 7: Digital Rights and Responsibilities This is the set of rights digital citizens have such as privacy, speech, and so forth.
Element 8: Digital Health Digital citizens must be aware of the physical stress placed on their bodies by internet usage. They must be aware to not become overly dependent on the internet causing eye strain, headaches, stress problems, and so on.
Element 9: Digital Security This simply means that citizens must take measures to be safe by practicing using difficult passwords, virus protection, backing up data, and so forth.