Digital Citizenship

“Top Ten List”

By: Carolina Young & Richard Velazquez
Introduction

• Technology forms a huge part of our everyday learning and development, but not
often do we sit back and ask what our responsibilities as digital citizens are.
• In the present workplace and learning settings, the evolution in the resources we
have to create a method of learning comes with the responsibility of teaching
some guidelines to stay safe, productive, and responsible while using technology.
After much research we have come up with a top ten list for a safe and healthy
training environment while using technology.
1. Teach the Skills
• Based on the article “Digital Citizenship: Businesses Can Learn from K-12 Educators”
(Afshar, 2013) organizations are now promoting technology use to help them get ahead
of the line out in the global business markets. If your role is of an educator, teach
trainees and students the skills necessary to practice fair use and responsible ways to use
technologies. The article states that “Educators have faced a challenge similar to
businesses regarding the use of technology and the Internet. Unfettered student access
can bring major benefits by dramatically enhancing learning and creativity. But it comes
at the risk of compromised privacy, copyright infringement, cyber bullying, plagiarism,
and exposure to inappropriate content. The concept of Digital Citizenship was created to
address this situation.” The better educated or “digitally fluent,” students are, the more
likely they are to make good decisions online, like supporting others instead of making
negative comments. Digital literacy includes the discussion of media literacy and the
ability to discern good information from poor, such as “fake news” from real news.
 2. Digital law

• This can be defined as the legal rights and restrictions governing

technology use.
• In today's world, many people are not responsible digital citizens.
Violations may include illegal file sharing sites, pirating software,
creating viruses, hacking into systems or networks, stealing someone’s
identity, and copyright infringement.
• In order to create a functioning 21st century global society with
responsible digital citizens, students need to be taught and informed of
these violations.
3. Digital Access
• Digital Access is about the equitable
distribution of technology and online
resources.
• Teachers and administrators need to be
aware of their community and who may or
may not have access, not only in school but
at home as well.
• Educators need to provide options for
lessons and data collection such as free
access in the community or provide
resources for the home.
 Digital Security and Privacy refers to the electronic
precautions to guarantee safety.

4. Digital Viruses, worms and other bots can be passed along

from one system to another just like an illness. When
Security and using devices in school or at home, understanding and
being aware of attacks and how to prevent them are
important skills for today and into the future.
Privacy

Whether emailing, chatting or using a social

networking tool such as Twitter or Facebook, it is very
important to not reveal personal information online.
 Teaching digital citizenship is all about helping students and trainees to
think beyond themselves and recognize the ripple effects of their
actions.

Personal responsibility is important but understanding their

responsibilities to others can help them unlock new ways to learn and
connect with their communities -- and even change those communities
5. for the better.

Responsibility This area of Digital Citizenship is about helping students understand

that when they are provided opportunities, such as the access to the
Internet and use of online products, they need to be diligent in helping
others as well, such as informing adults of potential problems.

Educators must help students understand that protecting others both

online and in the real world are essential skills to have.
 • Believing everything you read or see online will be a
mistake.
• Publishing online is easier than ever, which creates
inaccurate or biased information that put out there.
6. Question When we come across information, we question
ourselves who wrote the message and why it was
created.
7. Cyberbullying
• To know what cyberbullying is
and tell someone if you think it’s
happening to you or others. Like
any bullying, cyberbullying often
occurs between people that
know each other—students at a
school, members of a sporting
club, people from the same
social circle, ‘friends of a friend’.
8. Digital Health and
Welfare

Digital Health and Welfare refers to the physical and

psychological well-being in a digital world.

Technology provides many opportunities and enjoyment but

knowing how to segment use with the needs of we and
others is key to a healthy, balanced life.

Finding and maintaining a healthy cyberplace is a challenge

in a connected culture where virtually we can go anywhere,
see anyone, and do anything at the touch of a screen.

Technology does not have to distract us. Device settings,

reminders and apps can help us enhance our relationships,
improve our health and wellbeing, and be more productive.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

9. Social Media and
Digital Footprint

• Social media can be a place to connect,

learn, and, most of all, share.
• How much do kids know about what
they're sharing -- and not just about
themselves but each other?
• Help students think critically about their
digital footprints on social media.
 10. Unplug

• Life is all about balance. It’s not good for our

health and wellbeing to be online all the
time.
• Balance screen time with green time. Get
outdoors, move, play, and interact face-to-
face.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

 • Stark, K. (n.d.). Digital Law. Retrieved from
http://digitalhawks.weebly.com/digital-law.html
• Afshar, Vala. “Digital Citizenship: Businesses Can Learn
From K-12 Educators.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 13 Apr. 2013,
www.huffpost.com/entry/digital-citizenship-
busin_b_2654628.
• “Nine Elements.” Digital Citizenship,
www.digitalcitizenship.net/nine-elements.html.
• “Rings of Responsibility.” Common Sense Education, 10
May 2019, www.commonsense.org/education/digital-
citizenship/lesson/rings-of-responsibility.
• “Teaching Digital Citizenship: 10 Internet Safety Tips For
Reference Students (With Posters).” Kathleen Morris | Primary Tech |
Resources to Help Teachers with Technology in the
Classroom, 8 Apr. 2019,
www.kathleenamorris.com/2019/03/12/internet-safety/.
• “Social Media and Digital Footprints: Our
Responsibilities.” Common Sense Education, 10 May 2019,
www.commonsense.org/education/digital-
citizenship/lesson/social-media-and-digital-footprints-our-
responsibilities.