Digital citizen facts for kids

Every year, groups work to stop cyberbullying, especially in schools, to help students become responsible digital citizens.

A digital citizen is someone who uses the internet and technology in a smart, safe, and responsible way. It's about being a good citizen not just in your town, but also online!

Being a digital citizen means you use technology to connect with others, find good information, and help protect human rights. It teaches you how to talk and work with people online in a positive way. It also helps you understand how to keep your private information safe and prevent things like identity theft.

Being a Digital Citizen in a Digital World
Ways to Participate Online
Digital Citizens Around the World
Other Digital Divides
Young People and the Internet
Rules for Using Data
Three Main Ideas of Digital Citizenship
Digital Citizenship in Schools
- Digital Citizenship Programs
Images for kids
See also

Being a Digital Citizen in a Digital World

In today's world, technology is everywhere. We use it for almost everything! This means that being a digital citizen is super important. It's about understanding how your actions online affect you and others.

The internet is like a public space where you have rights, just like in the real world. These include your right to privacy and to speak freely. Being a digital citizen means you actively use technology to be part of society. You do this by speaking up and acting on things that matter to you online.

Ways to Participate Online

People who are good digital citizens often use the internet a lot. They might create blogs, use social networks, or read news online. Becoming a digital citizen starts when you first use email, post pictures, or buy things online. But it's more than just simple internet use.

Being a responsible digital citizen means you act properly when using technology. It involves knowing about digital literacy (how to use technology), online manners, online safety, and understanding what information should be kept private versus what can be shared publicly.

There are two main ways people participate online:

Sharing Information: This is when people get or share facts and ideas.
- Reading Information:': You might read websites to get facts from trusted sources, like government sites.
- Talking Back and Forth:': This is more interactive. You can ask questions and get answers, like in online chats or forums.

Discussing and Making Changes: This is when people talk about how to make a difference.
- Sharing Your Opinion:': You can take part in online polls or send ideas and complaints to leaders.
- Talking with Others:': You can discuss your thoughts with other people in online meetings or on social media.

One great thing about online discussions is that they help everyone feel included. Social media can make people feel more connected and informed about important topics. It also makes it easier for people to get involved, especially those who might not have participated much before.

However, there are challenges. Not everyone uses technology the same way, so some groups might be heard more than others. Also, there's a risk of "filter bubbles," where you only see information that agrees with your own views. This can spread false information and make disagreements worse. It's important that everyone has equal access to technology and knowledge about it.

Digital Citizens Around the World

Countries with lots of technology often use digital tools to connect governments with their citizens. They share new laws, future plans, and let people share their political views. This can even encourage more people to vote. If you don't have access to technology, it can be hard to do things like file taxes or register births, which are now often done online. This can lead to feeling left out or falling behind.

The difference between those who have access to technology and those who don't is called the digital divide. In developing countries, fewer people are digital citizens. But those who are often use technology to solve local problems like corruption or conflict. For example, people used social media during the Arab Spring movements to show what was happening.

In countries like Estonia, they have advanced digital programs. Estonia has an "e-Residency" program that lets people from anywhere start a business there online. This makes it easier to register a company, sign documents, and do online banking. This program helps Estonia's economy and makes public services easier to access.

But there are challenges, like how different countries handle taxes. Also, there's always a risk of cyberattacks, like the one Estonia faced in 2007. Protecting digital services is very important for a country's safety.

Other Digital Divides

Even in developed countries, the digital divide isn't just about money. It's also about education. Studies show that people with more education are much more likely to use computers and the internet.

Differences in computer use also exist among different racial groups. These gaps tend to be smaller for wealthier families but wider for those with less money. Some studies have found that for some communities, computers are seen as a luxury, not a necessity, or that they might take away from family time.

Access to devices also varies. Many students have multiple devices at home, but some only have one, which they might have to share. This can make it harder to do schoolwork, especially if that one device is a smartphone. It's important for all students to have access to enough devices and good internet.

Young People and the Internet

Young people spend a lot of time online, often more than watching TV. This has led to questions about how it affects their minds and health. Teenagers are often the first to try new digital content and services. Social media sites like Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube are very popular. Teens can spend many hours a day online, mostly on social media using their phones.

It's important for young people to be able to read and understand what they see online. Many government websites, for example, need a high reading level to understand. So, even though the internet seems open to everyone, education plays a big part in how well someone can use it.

Students should be taught to use technology responsibly and ethically. Learning about harmful viruses and other malware is also very important to stay safe. Teachers, parents, and school counselors can all help students become successful digital citizens.

Here are 5 important skills for digital citizenship:

Inclusive: Be open to different ideas and treat others with respect and kindness online.
Informed: Check if online information is true and understand different viewpoints.
Engaged: Use technology to help your community, solve problems, and make a positive difference.
Balanced: Make smart choices about how much time you spend online and offline.
Alert: Be aware of your online actions and know how to keep yourself and others safe.

Rules for Using Data

Organizations like the OECD have guidelines that say personal information should only be used for specific reasons and kept accurate. Some things, like your race, religion, or health, should not be shared online without your permission. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) helps protect people's personal information.

Governments are very interested in public records to help find crimes like fraud or terrorism. The internet has become a popular way to gather information because so much data is stored there. It's hard to stay completely anonymous online because internet providers can often track what you do.

Three Main Ideas of Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship is about using technology in a good and responsible way. There are three main ideas to help you do this: respect, educate, and protect.

Respect: This means being polite online, making sure everyone has a chance to use technology, and following online laws.
Educate: This means learning how to use technology well, how to communicate online, and how to buy and sell things safely online.
Protect: This means knowing your rights and responsibilities online, keeping your information secure, and taking care of your health while using technology.

Within these three ideas, there are nine important parts of digital citizenship:

Digital access: Making sure everyone can get online, no matter where they live or if they have disabilities. Schools and community centers often help with this.
Digital commerce: Understanding how to buy and sell things safely online, and knowing the risks of illegal activities like downloading things illegally.
Digital communication: Knowing how to use different online tools like email or instant messaging, and understanding the right way to act on each.
Digital literacy: Knowing how to use different digital devices and find information online, like using a search engine or an online library.
Digital etiquette: Using good manners and appropriate language when you communicate online.
Digital law: Understanding the rules and laws about online behavior, like not hacking or cyberbullying.
Digital rights and responsibilities: Knowing your rights online, like privacy and free speech, and your duties, like respecting others.
Digital health: Being aware of how using the internet affects your body (like eye strain) and your mind (like becoming too dependent).
Digital security: Taking steps to stay safe online, like using strong passwords and protecting your computer from viruses.

Digital Citizenship in Schools

Many schools now teach about digital citizenship. They help students understand how to use technology responsibly. Teachers often focus on topics like hate speech, cyberbullying, and online drama. It's important for students to learn how to tell if information online is true.

In recent years, there's been a move from just being a "digital citizen" to being a "digital leader." This means using the internet and social media to help others and make positive changes in the world. For example, after a school shooting in Parkland, Florida, students used social media to speak out against gun violence. They shared videos, created websites, and organized marches. This showed how young people can use digital tools to make a big impact.

However, just as empathy can spread online, so can hatred. Groups are working to fight hate speech, but it's a complex issue.

Here are some important goals of digital citizenship education:

Digital footprint: Understanding that everything you do online leaves a trace. This "digital footprint" can affect your reputation and future opportunities. It includes not just what you post, but also what others post about you.
Digital literacy: Being able to understand and use information from many sources online, and knowing how to create and share content.
Information literacy: Being able to find, evaluate, and use valuable information online.
Copyright and intellectual property: Knowing who created online content and respecting their rights, like giving credit when you use someone else's work.
Health and wellness: Making sure you stay healthy and balanced while using technology.
Empowering student voice: Helping students use technology to speak up and advocate for changes they believe in.
Safety, security, and privacy: Understanding your rights to privacy online and how to stay safe from online dangers.
Character education and ethics: Learning to be respectful and moral in your online behavior, even when people have different opinions.
Parenting: Parents also play a big role in teaching kids about online safety and responsible behavior.
Parents posting about their kids online: Parents should be careful about what they post about their children online, as it can have long-lasting effects on a child's privacy and reputation.

Digital Citizenship Programs

Many organizations offer free programs to teach digital citizenship skills in schools:

Be Internet Awesome: Created by Google to help kids be safe and smart online.
Digital Citizenship Curriculum: From Common Sense Media, teaching kids how to be responsible online.
Open Curriculum for Teaching Digital Citizenship & Internet Maturity: Developed by iMature EdTech.

Images for kids

At a conference in Paris, people talked about trusting data and using it to be open about environmental challenges.
At a convention, Shola Mos-Shogbamimu discussed how digital media can help stop the spread of negativity among young people.