Digital Citizenship

What is digital citizenship? Digital citizenship is about effective and responsible use of technologies, providing the right information, creating awareness of digital effects, and giving advocacy to people who are unaware of digital citizenship. Good digital citizenships are constructive contributive citizens. Browse safe and appropriate websites. Protect our own information and respect others. Acknowledge others’ work and say NO to cyberbullying. Use timely, wisely, and sensible use of technologies. Why is it important to learn about digital citizenship? Learning about digital citizenship helps me to understand how we should act when using digital tools and interacting with others. It also helped to know the appropriate use of technologies in the digital world.

Elements of digital citizenship 

i. Digital access Every individual has the right to access information, but not all people get the opportunity to access the same information. We have to be cautious about accessing information. 

ii. Digital commerce is about online buying and selling. As customers, we have to contact the valid and appropriate sources for needed goods. 

iii. Digital communication It is about communication with the use of different technologies appropriately and responsibly. 

iv. Digital literacy It is about knowing appropriate technologies and how to use these technologies effectively. 

v. Digital etiquette means that there are certain rules and responsibilities when we use ICT. Our use of technologies should not interfere with others’ interests in life. 

vi. Digital law Knowing how to use technology is not enough, we must follow certain norms and laws of the state about digital usage. 

vii. Digital rights and responsibility Everyone has the right to use technology, but at the same time, every individual has the responsibility to use it effectively. viii. Digital health and wellness It means physical and psychological implications of digital impacts. Unaware of timely and wisely use of ICT leads to the deterioration user’s memory. 

ix. Digital security means keeping data secure and protecting information from outside forces. 

 Learning activity 

 Self-introspection 

I have been using digital technologies for the last seven to eight years, but I had no idea of responsible usage of those technologies to date. I hadn’t known about digital citizenship. However, attending the last session on digital citizenship I came to know what digital citizenship is. Digital citizenship is about effective and responsible use of technologies, providing the right information, creating awareness of digital effects, and giving advocacy to people who are unaware of digital citizenship. Protect our own information and respect others. Use timely, wisely, and sensible use of technologies. It is vital to understand the importance of learning digital citizenship because; we must know how to use technology appropriately, how to react to others’ information, and how to be responsible digital citizens in the 21st century. 

As a digital citizen in the country, what is the role of the teacher in digital citizenship? 

Role of digital citizenship as a teacher, firstly teacher has to know what digital citizenship is. Why is it important to know about digital citizenship? What are some dos and dons as a digital citizen? Teachers must have knowledge about elements of digital citizenship. Understanding these entire will aid the teachers to be competent to teach their students about digital citizenship. Some roles of teachers as digital citizens are to practice copyright and fair use, where the teacher has to use his or their own original works rather than copying others’ works without acknowledging or proper authority. Use technologies effectively and responsibly by understanding the digital law and etiquette of the country. The teacher should maintain student data privacy. Students’ personal data should not be exposed to the outside world. Then, the teacher must let his or her students know about elements of good digital citizenship. Elements of digital citizenship are; A) Digital access: Every individual has the right to access information, but not all people get the opportunity to access the same information. We have to be cautious about accessing information. B) Digital commerce: Digital commerce is about online buying and selling. As customers, we have to contact the valid and appropriate sources for needed goods. C) Digital communication: It is about communication with the use of different technologies appropriately and responsibly. D) Digital literacy: It is about knowing appropriate technologies and how to use these technologies effectively. E) Digital etiquette: Digital etiquette means that there are certain rules and responsibilities when we use ICT. Our use of technologies should not interfere with others’ interests in life. F) Digital law: Knowing how to use technology is not enough, we must follow certain norms and laws of the state about digital usage. G) Digital rights and responsibility: Everyone has the right to use technology, but at the same time every individual has the responsibility to use it effectively. H) Digital health and wellness: It means physical and psychological implications of digital impacts. Unaware of timely and wisely use of ICT leads to the deterioration user’s memory. I) Digital security: Digital security means keeping data secure and protecting information from outside forces. If teachers could make students understand all these elements, it is an indication that the teacher has fulfilled a vital role as a digital citizen. 

What digital rights and responsibilities you as a teacher should carry out in society, community, and the world? 

Digital rights and responsibilities are the right to freedom to communicate with anyone in the digital world but do it responsibly. The abuse of rights may result in access to the digital world being denied. The citizen must take their rights completely seriously and their responsibilities more seriously. As a teacher, one must create positive examples in assisting each other to gain more knowledge about their rights and responsibilities. Teachers as digital citizens must create awareness or give advocacy on digital rights and responsibilities, new social media, and online trends. The teacher must use appropriate language and behavior when interacting with others. Do not involve in cyberbullying and avoid practicing plagiarism. Keep accessing authentic sources. Do not share the information that may defame others, and create uneasiness in societies. 

Share your personal observation through learning experiences. 

As a 21st century citizen, I felt it very important to know about the digital world. The current generation desires advanced and upgraded technical skills from the individuals. Therefore, to fit in the current scenario one must be skillful in digital knowledge. I also felt that having a digital idea is not enough, the person should be aware of being a good digital citizen. It was really fruitful to experience the session on digital citizenship. Lots of information is gained, and immeasurable knowledge is acquired from the last session. This will definitely enhance my understanding on being digital citizenship, which I will be practicing in my everyday life.