Digital citizens know that buying items online involves risks. Learning how to use e-commerce sites safely, ensuring that these sites are legitimate, and protecting personal and financial information are essential parts of digital citizenship. As the graph shows, digital citizenship is a specific type of general citizenship – citizenship extended to digital spaces. A good person who uses common sense is a good person who uses common sense online or offline, yes? But websites and social media channels are unique enough to offer other challenges (e.g., anonymity) and opportunities (e.g., size) compared to the “real life” that digital-specific thinking matters. CIPA – Children`s Internet Protection Act (2001)Enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about children`s access to obscene or harmful content on the Internet. In July 2012, CIPA`s requirements were revised to require any school district applying for e-rate funding* to demonstrate how to actively teach all students about Internet safety and digital citizenship. Topics that need to be addressed include: Appropriate online behaviour (building a positive digital footprint; Respect for intellectual property), security and privacy, awareness and intervention on cyberbullying Anyone who enters the digital world has certain rights and privileges. Students need to realize that while the online environment offers great opportunities, it also comes with dangers. When students encounter problems online, they have a responsibility to report them to an authority such as a teacher or the police. Some of these issues can include cyberbullying, posting inappropriate content, or fraudulent activities. They also have a responsibility to help other users and help maintain digital devices.

Ribble, M. and Bailey, G. D., (2007). Digital citizenship in schools. Eugene, Or. : International Society for Educational Technology. “Many of the characteristics of a good citizen – from respect and responsibility to what is right – are also key elements of digital citizenship. But students must learn to apply these proven qualities to the realities of the digital age.

Although some rules may be a little too general (7. A good citizen respects fundamental human rights…) or curious about the subject (6. A good citizen spends money responsibly and manages it…), as practical examples of a vague idea, they work well. This page from the British Columbia Ministry of Education contains eight modules focused on digital citizenship in relation to educational institutions. These are the questions that the nice folks at ISTE have addressed in the following infographic, which attempts to clarify the “norms” for citizenship in the digital age. We`ve proposed a definition of digital citizenship in the past, and this graphic takes that idea and adds general advice on how it might look in action. ISTE explains: In the real world, the development of civic skills and knowledge does not happen by itself. These are taught both by the authorized curriculum and by the norms and expectations of our cultures.

Digital literacy includes reading, writing and critical thinking, as well as the use of digital technologies. Students should learn how to choose the best digital tool for work and how to use that tool effectively. Students should also learn how to assess the accuracy, perspective, and validity of online resources and social media content. Digital literacy includes both cognitive and technical skills. Mike Ribble, co-author of Digital Citizenship Handbook for School Leaders: Fostering Positive Interactions Online, describes nine key elements of digital citizenship. These are divided into three categories. For students, this could mean thinking about how what they write, publish, or share might be interpreted. And how it might affect other people.

It is important for students to realize that written messages may not convey the true intent of the author. Something that is supposed to be humor or sarcasm could be understood differently. That`s because we can`t communicate our feelings online in the same way we can in real life. This Common Sense Education page offers free digital citizenship lesson plans for K-12. Not everyone has the same opportunities to use digital technologies. Digital citizens strive to ensure access for all, regardless of their skills, socio-economic status or location. Students should be able to identify and assess the risks associated with buying and selling online. They should also know how much of their personal and financial information they should share.

Students should also realize that things on the Internet are rarely “free.” Sometimes the price is access to their personal data. Digital trade is closely linked to digital security. It is important to be able to use the right digital technology at the right time to share information. Students should learn to use different forms of communication such as text or social media. They should also learn to organize their thoughts in such a way that they can be understood by others. Digital citizenship is the appropriate and responsible use of the internet, computers and digital devices. Teaching digital citizenship is more than just adhering to rules, policies and procedures. Teaching digital citizenship helps students think critically, behave safely, participate responsibly, and maintain their health and well-being in the digital world. When it comes to digital citizenship, educators and other adults need to lead by example. They should strive to integrate digital citizenship into learning plans. Digital citizenship should also be involved in extracurricular and extracurricular activities. This is a rule for older children.

Show your kids how to read a website and which logos to look for when shopping. Digital citizens recognize that in a digital environment, the best format and tool depends on what they want to communicate, for what purpose and with whom. For example, using shortcuts or textspeak in instant messages or text messages to friends is acceptable in this situation. However, the same format may not be appropriate when communicating with potential employers. It is also important for students to think about which tool to use when contacting a potential employer or post-secondary institution. Organizations often lag behind the apps used by teens. It is best for students to check official websites for preferred means of communication. The fact is that each of us has – and leaves – a digital footprint. Wearing a smart device is part of that digital footprint. As adults, we can point to experiences where something we did in the past influences something happening today.

We “understand” that something we do online can follow us for the rest of our lives. Without this box full of sad events, it is much harder for our children to understand. If there are internet-connected devices in your child`s life, it`s time to think about digital citizenship. The legal element of digital citizenship is knowledge of the rights and restrictions that apply when using digital devices. Students need to understand that online tools expose people to theft of personal and financial information, harassment and bullying. Students should also understand the expectations that Canadian copyright law places on them. This includes issues such as proper use of images, appropriate citation methods, plagiarism, and respect for the intellectual property of others. Are there “rules” for digital citizenship? And how do non-digital “local” citizenships differ? Technology is advancing rapidly.

As fast as it has evolved in our lives, we know that technology will evolve far beyond what it can do right now.