We're not always as conscious of our activities online, even though we live and interact in the digital world in a similar fashion to the physical world. Sometimes we take actions without considering how they might impact our online persona, security, or development. Until then, everything we do on the internet shapes and defines our virtual identities and environment.

Additionally, everyone has access to exceptional chances through digital media to become active, voice their opinions, and effect change both online and offline. As engaged citizens of the digital age, we all have a part to play in the real-world consequences of our online behaviour.

What is a Digital Identity?

The capacity to utilise technology sensibly, securely, and politely is known as digital citizenship. It refers to the capacity to safeguard private information on the internet, reduce the risks brought on by cyberthreats or other online threats, and use information and media in a polite, informed, and lawful manner.

Although the concept of digital citizenship is always changing due to the increasing complexity of technology, the fundamental idea behind it is always the same: using technology responsibly and safely.

The Components of Digital Citizenship

The main objective of digital citizenship remains mostly constant, even as the specific elements change in response to media, threats, interconnectedness, and technological advancements. The digital citizenship curriculum should also be the main focus during the era of the internet to mitigate online threats.

Among the main elements of digital citizenship are:

Online Security

Being able to stay safe online is one of the most crucial aspects of digital citizenship. This topic has gained enough attention in many digital literacy curricula that it is frequently included in a distinct module with an exclusive focus on online safety. The capacity to safeguard personal data and maintain security in an online setting is referred to as online safety. This entails knowing how to safeguard private information like name, date of birth, social security number, or residential address; figuring out which applications have access to certain permissions; enabling security measures like removing geotagging from publicly accessible images; figuring out what information is safe to share and how to share it; and more.

Checking References

Misinformation in relation to digital media is still a popular topic. Disinformation, purposely misleading propaganda, deepfakes (AI-manipulated photos, videos, and audio), and false viral material are all on the rise. This makes it more crucial than ever to teach our children how to discern reliable sources, check the veracity of a claim, and tell authentic material from manipulated or fraudulent stuff.

Handling Unsuitable Content

It's crucial that digital citizenship curricula include instruction on how to steer clear of questionable or dangerous internet information. This is particularly crucial for younger pupils, who can inadvertently come across improper or dangerous content or fail to recognise the possible risks associated with it.

Employing Content Cautionfully

Finally, being able to use content lawfully and ethically should also be part of good digital citizenship. This encompasses a wide range of topics, such as understanding when and how to upload content, how to use it respectfully, and how to use it while adhering to copyright regulations. This covers a wide range of media, including spreadsheets, presentations, audio, video, images, graphs, and text-based material.

Digital Citizenship for Students

The curriculum for digital literacy for kids of all ages now includes a significant portion on teaching our pupils how to be responsible citizens. The reason for this is that, compared to earlier generations, students are exposed to technology far more frequently, with teenagers spending an average of 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen.

As a result, it's critical that kids learn how to recognise and reduce risk and false information, as well as how to utilise media in a responsible and lawful manner, all while safeguarding their privacy and online safety.