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More and more students are getting access to devices at a younger age. In order to keep students safe, it's important for them to become good digital citizens and learn how to use technology responsibly. So, what is digital citizenship? Digital Citizenship is the practice of using the Internet and technology safely, respectfully and responsibly.
What is Digital Citizenship?

The practice of using the Internet and technology safely, respectfully and responsibly

Best practices for responsible technology use

Techniques and strategies for responsible use of social media and technology

The ability to think critically and discern what is positive to share online and what should be kept private

Protecting private information, respecting yourself and others, staying safe online, giving proper credit when using someone else's work, and balancing time spent online and offline

Digital Citizenship in the news

The popularity of devices in general have left many teachers worried about both keeping kids on task and ensuring their behavior online isn't hurting each other. That's where classes like Digital Citizenship come in. - Fast Company

Before they start chatting with anyone online, kids need to know some basic digital citizenship and online privacy information. - CNN

[In 2017], Washington leaders passed a law that requires students to learn about media literacy and internet safety in schools. The law requires Washington schools to develop a model policy to better support digital citizenship. -US News

[Digital citizenship should be taught in schools] not as an add-on but as a complement to what's already being taught in the classroom. -The Atlantic

In 2014, more than three million Chromebooks were used in educational institutions. As that number continues to grow, so does the need for increased focus on programs that teach digital citizenship skills. - Forbes

We all need to work together to develop and enforce digital citizenship norms that make social media platforms hospitable for everyone. - The New York Times

All educators have a responsibility to address digital citizenship. - The Guardian

One of the best methods of building digital citizenship is to begin early. - Chicago Tribune

Kids need a national Digital Citizenship curriculum. - VentureBeat

Questions to ask younger kids

1. Is it ok to share my password with my BFF?

2. Is it ok for me to talk with people online who my parents don't know?

3. If I see bullying online, and I click "like/heart" on that post, does that mean I'm bullying also?

4. If I see something bad online, who should I tell?

When should your student be public?

Ages 0-13 - Should have an entirely private online presence
Ages 14-15 - Start having a family discussion regarding what should be public
Age 15 - Consider posting some positive images and volunteer photos on social media
Age 17 - Colleges should be able to find a positive online footprint for your student

Digital Citizenship 3 step plan

1. Audit your student's online image - Use Google to see what's out there

2. Dialog with your student about their future (and where they want to go)

3. Create content to improve their online image - Make content that is congruent with their college application

Why should parents care about Digital Citizenship?

The consequences of making a mistake online can lead to dangerous situations

College admission officers and employers review applicants' digital footprints, so it's essential to ensure you have a positive online image

Students may be unaware that social networking sites and apps could be sharing their personal information with third parties

Access to technology increases the chance of your student being exposed to inappropriate content

A lack of balance between screen time and time spent offline can lead to sleep deprivation

Teens who spend a lot of time on social media tend to rely on social validation which has a negative effect on their self-esteem

How to become a good Digital Citizen

Parents: Take time with students and go through all of their past social media images

Delete inappropriate images or posts that may not represent your current maturity level

Use one profile photo across all social media accounts, so you are easily identifiable

If you're a Teen (and have your parents' permission): Consider creating a LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+ account under your real name. These will positively impact your digital footprint on Google

On your Google+, YouTube and LinkedIn accounts, add links to websites where your achievements are featured, such as a school website, or team sports website

Use your full name (including middle) in the bio sections

List school, hobbies, awards and sports accomplishments in your account descriptions

Highlight volunteer and extracurricular activities

When posting photos online, consider including your city name and school name in some of the bios or captions below the photos to make sure those are discovered by Google

Before posting anything online, ask yourself:

1. Will this post help (or hurt) my chances of my dream college accepting me to my dream major?

2. How would I feel if this post was shown publicly to my peers, neighbors, or to my relatives?

We spend countless hours each week researching (and summarizing) the latest digital safety tips parents and educators need to know

We train 30,000 students each year how to shine online using social media and we show them how their accounts can be used to create a portfolio of positive accomplishments that impress colleges and employers.

Learn How To Set Up These Positive Networks With Your Whole Community!

Join 70,000+ newsletter subscribers who read our expert social media safety tips each week

Join one of our next free webinars:

Parents of kids 8-18:

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Our digital safety message teaches parents and students (age 8-18) to use social media as a positive portfolio of accomplishments to shine online.

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What is Digital Citizenship? (Parent Guide & Video)

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Many parents have asked, what is digital citizenship? So we created this guide and short video to walk you through digital citizenship and the steps your student can take to shine online. Learn when your student should become public and how they can become good digital citizens.

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Digital Etiquette For Middle and High School Students

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Digital Etiquette For Middle and High School Students

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"Digital citizenship is the norms of appropriate, responsible technology use. Become a responsible user." Ringgold High School Video Productions 2 - 2014

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Online Etiquette for Elementary Students

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Online Etiquette for Elementary Students

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Digital Citizenship   Internet Rules of Etiquette

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EducationWorld is pleased to share this article shared by Maryalene LaPonsie. She is a contributor to OnlineSchools.com whose work has been featured on FoxBusiness, AOL, MSN Money and numerous other sites.

One doesn't have to travel far on the Internet to see our collective digital citizenship-or lack thereof-on display.

For example, within 48 hours of George Zimmerman being acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, more than 75,000 comments flooded a CNN article, many of which we'd never imagine being said in an offline discussion.

Children and young adults' online-etiquette gaffes often can be chalked up to limited experience and failure to consider the consequences of one's actions. That means it's vital to teach students 21st-century digital citizenship skills.

What is Digital Citizenship?

Digital citizenship refers to the overall experience of navigating the online world. Good citizenship on the Internet encompasses everything from taking safety precautions to practicing proper social etiquette.

Author of the popular book Digital Citizenship in Schools, Mark Ribble is often cited as an expert in the field. In his book, he lays out nine elements of digital citizenship:

1. Access: Good digital citizenship starts with working toward all individuals having full access to online and digital resources.

2. Commerce: Individuals should understand the role of online marketplaces and avoid illegal or unethical practices such as downloading pirated material.

3. Communication: Email, instant messaging and social media have changed how we communicate, and individuals must learn how to make wise use of these communication methods.

4. Etiquette: One of the most widely noted aspects of digital citizenship is online etiquette and the ability to interact appropriately with others in the virtual world. Included among these skills is avoiding cyberbullying and knowing what to do when one experiences or witnesses it.

5. Health and wellness: Long hours on the computer can cause back pain and eye strain or be a symptom of an Internet addiction. Good digital citizens must learn how to balance their time online with their physical and psychological well-being.

6. Literacy: Digital literacy means knowing what technology is available and how to use it.

7. Law: The virtual world is not free from laws or regulations, and users must be aware of how they can use the material they find online.

8. Rights and responsibilities: Online and digital media users should have a right to privacy and free speech, but they also have a responsibility to act appropriately within the virtual realm.

9. Security: Finally, good digital citizenship means understanding the risks involved with using technology and taking precautions such as setting up firewalls and backing up computer data.

Christopher McGilvery of Angelo State University notes that in addition to the above skills, students should know how to take care of technology equipment and protect it from viruses and similar threats. They also should know how to identify-and appropriately credit and cite-Web sources. Finall y, since potential employers and college admission staff often view applicants' profiles, young people should know how to promote positive personal images of themselves online.

The Challenge for 21st-Century Learners

Even for those raised on the Web, good digital citizenship may not come easily. A Microsoft whitepaper revealed many teens have participated in or witnessed examples of poor digital citizenship.

1.5 million teens say they have sent sexually suggestive videos or images of themselves with a mobile device, while 6 million teens say they have received suggestive images from someone they know.

86 percent of teens believe it is acceptable to illegally download and share music.

49 percent of teens say they have received or viewed hateful, sexist or racist messages online.

In response to these kinds of challenges, some organizations have developed free curriculums (e.g., those from Common Sense Media and Google).

In addition, digital citizenship education may be most effective when integrated into other subjects. For example, students should be made aware of image and text copyrights while doing research for reports, and they should develop skills for evaluating the trustworthiness of online sources.

Other ways to integrate digital citizenship into everyday activities:

If you're exploring a current event in the news, particularly a controversial one, have students take a look at reader comments below online articles. (Teachers should pre-screen these.) Have students talk about what does and does not constitute respectful online behavior.

Staging a classroom debate? Take the discussion into a secure (invite- or members-only) social media platform and encourage kids to practice appropriate commenting.

Enhance bullying prevention lessons by reading online stories of young people's cyberbullying experiences (pre-screened by the teacher). Talk about what could have stopped the abuse and helped the target.

Have students create multimedia projects using materials from Creative Commons, giving them a chance to practice appropriate crediting. If kids are writing papers or reports, use How to Use Wikipedia in the Classroom to talk about proper use of Wikipedia.

Discuss the consequences of inappropriate online posting. These discussion guides can help:

If a school computer gets infected with a virus, talk about what will be done to remove the threat and what can be done to prevent future problems.

Talk about the limits of free speech and the fact that freedom of speech does not necessarily mean freedom from consequences. This guide can help: Lesson Plan Booster: Digital Literacy and Online Ethics.

The goal is to create a community of learners who understand how to use digital resources effectively, efficiently and responsibly. With proper guidance from educators and parents, today's students will be poised to make the Internet of tomorrow a better place.

Related resources

Promoting Responsible and Ethical Digital Citizens

Education World®
Copyright © 2013 Education World

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EducationWorld is pleased to share this article shared by Maryalene LaPonsie. She is a contributor to OnlineSchools.com whose work has been featured on FoxBusiness, AOL, MSN Money and numerous other sites. One doesn't have to travel far on the Internet to see our collective digital citizenship-or lack thereof-on display.

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A collection of articles, videos, and other resources on internet safety, cyberbullying, digital responsibility, and media and digital literacy.

Digital Responsibility

The Basics of Open Technology by Ira Socol (2015): From abundant tools and smart budgeting to accessibility and trust, the Albemarle County Public Schools district maintains a tech program that leverages digital literacy for all students.

Five-Minute Film Festival: Are We Addicted to Technology? by Amy Erin Borovoy (2014): Can't put your device down? Obsessing over social media? You may want to dig in to this playlist of videos and resources to help educators, parents, and students reflect on their relationship with technology.

Common Core in Action: Teaching Online Ethics by Heather Wolpert-Gawron (2014): A look at a key element of digital citizenship-responsible use of intellectual property-and the eighth-grade Common Core standard for gathering, using, and attributing relevant information.

Five-Minute Film Festival: Copyright and Fair Use for Educators by Amy Borovoy (2013): In K-12 education, it's a challenge to navigate the copyright and fair use waters. What can educators use? How can they use it? We have some fun, engaging videos to help teachers and students understand this confusing subject.

Media and Digital Literacy

Other Resources From Edutopia

Additional Resources on the Web

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A collection of articles, videos, and other resources on internet safety, cyberbullying, digital responsibility, and media and digital literacy.