What Is Digital Citizenship? (Plus, Ideas for Teaching It)

The internet is integral to our lives, and it’s a rare day that we don’t spend at least some time online. Kids need the internet too, which is why it’s so important to teach them how to use it smartly and safely. So what is good digital citizenship, and how can you teach it? Here’s some information to get you started.

What is digital citizenship?

Source: SafeSitter

Being a good citizen is generally about interacting with others in a way that’s safe and respectful. In society, good citizens are those who help others, take care of their own responsibilities, and follow laws. On the internet, good digital citizens do the same. They practice smart safety routines to protect themselves, treat others with respect, and follow the laws, rules, and guidelines.

Digital Safety

Staying safe online has become an enormous issue in recent years. We must all be careful to safeguard our financial and other private information, and we must know how to recognize scams and other dangers.

A safe digital citizen:

Understands how the internet itself generally works.
Knows how to create strong passwords and understands how and why to keep them private.
Can set and change the security log-in passwords, codes, thumbprint, facial recognition, etc., on their devices.
Recognizes spam, phishing, clickbait, and catfishing attempts and knows what to do about them.
Understands how websites gather user data (cookies) and what they may do with it.
Realizes that once something is posted on the internet, it’s very difficult (at times impossible) to remove all traces of it permanently.
Recognizes when they need a break from screen time and is able to take those breaks.
Posts thoughtfully on social media, taking care not to overshare.
Knows how to shop and bank safely online.
Understands how to determine if a website and the information it provides is reliable.

Digital Respect

The web offers a certain degree of anonymity, and that can be helpful sometimes. But other times, people feel empowered by anonymity to bully others, steal data, or post fake or misleading information.

A respectful digital citizen:

Does not cyberbully others.
Follows a website’s guidelines and rules and respects the moderators.
Knows that not everyone has equal access to the internet (Digital Divide).
Uses social media and other websites with respect for others and their privacy.
Does not post pictures or information about others without their permission.
Understands the social and professional norms (and how they differ) of using email and instant messaging.

These lists are definitely not comprehensive, but they’re a good place to start when talking about digital citizenship with kids and teens.

Why do we need to teach it to students?

Source: Virtual Library

The world can be a risky and even downright dangerous place. When children are very young, we keep them at home and only allow them to go out with a responsible adult who can watch out for their safety. As they get older, though, we know we have to let them start taking care of themselves. So, we show them safety skills like how to cross the street. We teach them what to do if they feel endangered and how to treat other people with respect. A bit at a time, we start letting them try out these skills on their own, because we know that one day, they’ll have to do these things for themselves.

Digital citizenship is exactly the same. When kids are little, we restrict their time online and ensure they’re being safe when they do go on the web by sitting right beside them. When they start school, they’ll be required to use the web more, and they eventually will want their own smartphones and laptops. If we give them these devices but don’t teach them digital citizenship, it’s like sending a toddler out to cross a busy street alone.

Some parents react to these dangers of the web by restricting their kids’ access long into their teen years. But it makes more sense to use the internet alongside them when they’re younger, teaching them the skills they need to be safe and responsible online. Just as you helped them learn to cross the street, you can teach them how to use the web as a good citizen.

Digital Citizenship Activities

Need ideas for teaching kids to be good digital citizens? Try some of these.

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