Digital citizen facts for kids

Every year the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention hosts a summit to highlight its work to prevent cyberbullying, especially in schools and amongst students, in efforts to become responsible digital citizens.

The term digital citizen means someone who uses the internet regularly and effectively. It's about how people use information technology (IT) to be part of society, politics, and government.

More recently, digital citizenship means how people act their role in society using digital tools. It highlights how technology can give people power and make things more democratic. This idea also considers how much of our lives are now "datafied." This means a lot of our information is collected and used, like what we saw with the Snowden leaks. This makes us think about what it means to be a digital citizen in a world full of data, often called the "algorithmic society." This society uses a lot of AI and Big Data, and it has many ways of watching what we do online (called surveillance).

Because so much data is collected, just thinking about privacy isn't enough. We can't just assume that being online means we can participate or stay safe. Instead, digital citizenship should show that we are not just "users" of technology. These tools actually shape how we act as individuals and as citizens.

Digital citizenship means using technology in a responsible and respectful way. It's about engaging online, finding reliable information, and protecting human rights. It teaches you how to communicate, work with others, and act positively on any online platform. It also helps you learn empathy, protect your privacy, and use security steps to prevent your information from being stolen.

Being a Digital Citizen in the "Algorithmic Society"

In today's "algorithmic society," being a digital citizen means being able to understand and manage your "data double." This is the digital version of you that is created from all the data collected about you.

This idea emphasizes that the internet (or cyberspace) is a political space. In this space, your basic rights, like privacy and free speech, should be protected. New rights for the internet, like "digital constitutionalism," are also important. Your actions online help create and show who you are as a citizen. This means that being a digital citizen is not just active, but also "performative." Your digital actions are important ways you show your role in society.

For example, you become a digital citizen by claiming your rights on the internet. This can be by saying something or doing something online.

Different Ways to Participate Online

People who see themselves as digital citizens often use technology a lot. They might create blogs, use social networks, or participate in online journalism. Digital citizenship starts when you get an email address, post pictures, or buy things online. But becoming a true digital citizen goes beyond simple internet use.

Being a responsible digital citizen means understanding how to behave properly when using technology. It involves knowing about digital literacy, good online manners (etiquette), online safety, and what information should be kept private versus public.

The way people participate online can be seen in two main stages:

Sharing Information Online

The first stage is about sharing information. This has two parts:

• Static information sharing: This is when you mostly read websites. You get information from trusted sources to form your own opinions. Many government websites provide this kind of reliable information.
• Dynamic information sharing: This is more interactive. Both citizens and public workers can ask and answer questions. You can have two-way conversations through online platforms.

Discussing and Making Changes Online

The second stage is about citizen discussion. This looks at how you participate to try and make policy changes.

• Static citizen participants can take part by answering online polls. They can also send complaints and ideas, often to the government, to help make changes.
• Dynamic citizen participants can discuss their thoughts and ideas with others. They might do this in online town hall meetings or on different social media sites.

One big benefit of discussing things online is that it helps everyone feel included. Social media platforms, for example, help people feel more connected. They can learn about political issues that their friends are also talking about. This makes it easier for people who haven't been very involved in politics before to get involved.

However, there are challenges with using digital tools for political participation. These challenges can create risks for how democracy works. Technology can sometimes seem confusing, and it might not include everyone in democratic life. Different groups of people use technology differently. This means some groups might be more heard than others online.

Another challenge is the "filter bubble" effect. This is when you only see information that agrees with your existing beliefs. Along with a lot of false information online, this can make people's existing opinions stronger. It can also make disagreements worse. This might lead to people making decisions or voting based on wrong information, rather than true knowledge. Experts say that online information systems should help close the gap between those who have a lot of information and those who don't. Otherwise, technology will make this gap wider.

Hosted by the Government of France at the OECD Conference Centre in Paris, representatives discussed trust in data and how we can use data to spread openness in addressing environmental challenges.

The OECD has pointed out five challenges for getting citizens involved online:

• Scale: How can a society let everyone's voice be heard without getting lost in a huge debate? It's hard for governments to listen and respond to every single idea.
• Capacity: How can digital tools give citizens more information about how public policies are made? There isn't enough chance for citizens to discuss things with each other.
• Coherence: Governments need a better way to connect all parts of the policy-making process with how they use technology. This would help them use citizen information better at each stage.
• Evaluation: It's more important than ever to figure out if online involvement helps meet the goals of both citizens and the government.
• Commitment: Is the government truly committed to looking at and using what citizens say publicly? How can this process be checked more regularly?

Digital Citizens in Different Countries

Countries with advanced technology can easily connect their governments with online platforms. These sites share new laws, current and future policy goals, and allow citizens to express their political views. This has also led to more people being encouraged to vote.

Not having access to technology can be a big problem for becoming a digital citizen. Many basic tasks, like filing taxes or registering births, are now only available online. Also, many cultural and business groups only share information on websites. People without internet access can't get this information, which might make them feel left out or hurt their economic chances.

The difference between those who have digital access and those who don't is called the digital divide. In developing countries, there are fewer digital citizens. These are people who use technology to overcome local problems, like development issues or corruption. For example, people used Ushahidi during the 2007 Kenyan election dispute and protesters in the Arab Spring used media to show what was happening.

One example of a very advanced digital program is e-Residency of Estonia. This allows people, even if they are not Estonian citizens, to do business in Estonia online. You can apply with your passport and a photo. If approved, you can register a company, sign documents, do online banking, and get prescriptions online. This program aims to have over 10 million e-residents by 2025. As of 2019, over 54,000 people from 162 countries were interested. This has brought millions of dollars to Estonia's economy and helped people access online public services.

However, Estonia's e-Residency system has faced some criticism. Some say that tax rules in other countries might stop this idea from spreading. Another risk is that governments might not keep funding these programs. Most importantly, the threat of cyberattacks could disrupt such a system. Estonia itself had a huge cyberattack in 2007. Today, protecting digital services and databases is vital for national security. Many countries are still unsure about creating new systems that change how politics works with all its citizens.

Other Kinds of Digital Divide

Even in developed countries, the digital divide isn't just about money. It's also about education. A study in the United States found that the gap in computer use and internet access was much wider between those with the most and least education. People with college degrees were much more likely to have internet access at work.

The digital divide also often follows racial lines. There were big differences in computer use between White, Black, and Hispanic households. These gaps tend to be smaller at higher income levels but wider among lower-income families. Some studies found that for Hispanic communities, computers were seen as a luxury, not a necessity. In the African-American community, some felt they had negative experiences with new technology. Asian-Americans, however, often emphasized education, leading to more people embracing technology.

Differences in daily technology use also create an educational divide. A report found that most students had access to two to five devices at home. But a small percentage had no devices. For those with only one device, many had to share it with family members, which creates challenges. The data shows that wealthier families have more devices. Also, many students in rural areas who only had one device used a smartphone. This can make doing schoolwork harder. Experts suggest that students who don't have enough resources need more devices and better internet. Teachers should also make sure students can access learning materials on their phones.

Getting Young People Involved

At the 2018 Institutional Convention, Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, founder of the convention, discusses what measures can be taken to stop the spread of negativity in youth.

Surveys show that teenagers and young adults spend more time online than watching TV. This has led to questions about how internet use affects thinking skills. Teens are also concerned about how digital technology might affect their health. Young people are often the first to try new digital content and services. Sites like Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube are very popular among young people. It's reported that teenagers spend up to nine hours a day online, mostly on social media using mobile devices. This makes it very easy for young people to access.

In the United States, social media is so common among teens that being online almost means being on a social network. About 95% of teens aged 12-17 are online, and 80% of them use social media. The time when young people develop their civic identity is between ages 15 and 22. During this time, they develop civic literacy (understanding their role), civic skills (how to participate), and civic attachment (feeling connected to their community). These help them become involved in political actions as adults.

For young people to fully participate online, they need good reading skills. For example, the average government website needs an eleventh-grade reading level. But about half of the U.S. population reads at an eighth-grade level or lower. So, even though the internet can be a place for everyone, education plays a big part in how well a person can express themselves online in a formal way. Education also affects how motivated people are to participate online.

Students should be encouraged to use technology responsibly and ethically. It's important to teach them about harmful viruses and other malware to protect their devices. With help from teachers, parents, and school counselors, students can become successful digital citizens.

Here are 5 important skills that help teachers teach about digital citizenship:

• Inclusive: Being open to different ideas and treating others online with respect and empathy.
• Informed: Checking if digital media and social posts are accurate and understanding different viewpoints.
• Engaged: Using technology and online tools to help the community, solve problems, and make a positive difference.
• Balanced: Making smart choices about how to spend time online and offline.
• Alert: Being aware of your online actions and knowing how to stay safe and create safe spaces for others online.

Rules for Using Data

International guidelines from the OECD say that personal data should only be used for its intended purpose. It should also be accurate, complete, and kept up to date. This means certain private information, like race, religion, or health, should not be published online without permission. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) generally helps enforce this. For example, the FTC took action against Microsoft for not protecting customer information well enough.

The FTC plays a big role in protecting digital citizens. However, people's public records are becoming very useful to the government. This information can help the government find different types of crimes. It makes it easier to understand a suspected person and keep an eye on them. While there are many ways to get information, like credit card history, the internet is becoming the most popular. This is because it seems secure, and so much information can be stored there. But it's hard to stay anonymous online, as ISPs can track what you do.

Three Main Ideas of Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship is about using technology in a proper and responsible way. Mike Ribble created three main ideas to teach people how to use technology responsibly and become digital citizens: respect, educate, and protect. Each idea includes three of the nine parts of digital citizenship.

• Respect: This includes online manners (etiquette), access, and following laws to respect other digital users.
• Educate: This involves learning about digital literacy, communication, and online buying (commerce) to understand how to use the digital world properly.
• Protect: This covers your rights and responsibilities, security, and health and wellness to stay safe both online and offline.

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

1. Digital access: This is a basic part of being a digital citizen. But some people might not have access due to their financial situation, where they live, or disabilities. Schools are now often more connected to the internet, offering computers and other ways to get online. This can also be found in public places like libraries or community centers. This is often linked to the digital divide.
2. Digital commerce: This means understanding that much of our economy happens online. It also involves knowing the good and bad parts of buying things online, using credit cards, and so on. Just like there are legal activities, there are also dangerous ones like illegal downloads or online gambling.
3. Digital communication: This part is about understanding the many ways to communicate online, like email, instant messaging, and social media. Each way has its own set of expected manners.
4. Digital literacy: This means knowing how to use different digital devices. For example, how to search properly on a search engine versus an online database. Many schools help people learn digital literacy.
5. Digital etiquette: As mentioned, this is about the expected good behavior and language for different online communication tools. Some tools require more formal behavior than others.
6. Digital law: This is where rules are enforced for things like illegal downloads, plagiarizing, hacking, creating viruses, sending spam, identity theft, and cyberbullying.
7. Digital rights and responsibilities: This is about the rights digital citizens have, such as privacy and free speech. It also covers their duties online.
8. Digital health: Digital citizens need to be aware of how using the internet can affect their bodies. They should know not to become too dependent on the internet, which can cause problems like eye strain, headaches, and stress.
9. Digital security: This simply means that citizens must take steps to be safe. This includes using strong passwords, having virus protection, and backing up their data.

Digital Citizenship in Schools

According to Mike Ribble, digital access is a key part of today's school lessons. He noted a growing gap between rich and poor students. For example, fewer African American and Hispanic students have computers at home compared to white students. Other important digital topics include online buying, communication, literacy, and manners. He stressed that teachers must understand that technology is important for all students, not just those who already have it, to help close the digital divide.

Research by Common Sense Media found that about six out of ten American K-12 teachers used some kind of digital citizenship lessons. Seven out of ten taught skills using digital citizenship. Many teachers focused on topics like hate speech, cyberbullying, and online drama. A problem is that over 35% of students didn't have the right skills to check information online, and this problem got worse in higher grades. Online videos from YouTube and Netflix were used by about 60% of K-12 teachers. Educational tools like Microsoft Office and Google G Suite were used by about half of teachers. Social media was used the least, by only about 13% of teachers. Schools with more financial challenges were more likely to use digital citizenship lessons than wealthier schools.

Recently, there's been a big push to move students from just being digital citizens to becoming digital leaders. This means making a bigger positive impact online. While digital citizens act responsibly, digital leadership is more active. It means using the internet and social media to improve the lives and well-being of others as part of daily life.

For example, after the shooting at Parkland, Florida in 2018, students became active digital citizens. They used social media and other online tools to speak out and fight against cyberbullies and false information. Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School specifically spoke out against gun violence. They used online tools to share what was happening, allowing the world to see and react. As a result, students created a website and a logo for their movement. They gave interviews to major news outlets and organized a nationwide march online. This shift in young people is about showing empathy beyond themselves and seeing themselves as part of a digital community.

However, some critics say that just as empathy can spread widely, so can hatred. While groups like the United Nations are working against hate speech, there isn't one clear legal definition of it around the world. More research is needed on its impact.

Along with educational trends, there are common goals for digital citizenship education. All these parts work together to help create good and effective learning about digital technology and communication.

1. Digital footprint: This is the idea that what you post and receive online can be tracked and used to show you ads. Your digital footprint can have good or bad results. Knowing how to manage it is part of digital literacy. Your digital footprint isn't just what you actively post. It can also be created by others online, like when they like or comment on your content. It also includes your search history and online purchases.
2. Digital literacy: This is the ability to understand and use information from many sources and in different forms when it's on computers. It includes finding and using online content, creating content, and how that content is shared among people.
3. Information literacy: This is the overall ability to find, check, and use valuable information. This can be through creating content, doing research, or simply typing keywords into a search engine.
4. Copyright, intellectual property respect, attribution: By knowing who created online content and if it's reliable, you can be better informed about what to believe when you're online.
5. Health and wellness: A healthy community means people can talk and share ideas. This happens when citizens know about their online environment.
6. Empowering student voice, agency, advocacy: This means using non-profit groups and government organizations to help students speak up for policy changes. Many mobile apps now help students speak up and advocate for their rights online.
7. Safety, security and privacy: This is about the freedoms everyone has online and balancing the right to privacy with safety risks. It includes helping students understand their rights, like proper internet access and safe online products. Teachers should help students understand that it's important to protect others online.
8. Character education and ethics: This means knowing that everyone online will have different views. It's important to stay balanced and moral in your online behavior.
9. Parenting: Teachers want to keep teaching rules and policies about the online world. Issues like cyberbullying are handled by school staff and counselors.
10. Parents posting about their kids online: Digital footprints can have lasting effects on a person's reputation. This can impact relationships, job opportunities, and more. For example, a negative post could hurt a child's college chances. But a positive post could help their future. Parents often post pictures, achievements, or even flyers about their children. However, technology combined with parents' actions can put children at risk for identity theft, embarrassment, and privacy issues. It also raises concerns about a child's independence and consent. Even innocent posts can be a big invasion of a child's privacy.

Digital Citizenship Lessons

There are free lessons available from different groups to teach digital citizenship skills in schools:

1. Be Internet Awesome: Created by Google with The Net Safety Collaborative and the Internet Keep Safe Coalition.
2. Digital Citizenship Curriculum: Created by Common Sense Media, shared under a Creative Commons License (CC-BY-NC-ND).
3. Open Curriculum for Teaching Digital Citizenship & Internet Maturity: Created by iMature EdTech, shared under a Creative Commons License (CC-BY-NC-ND).

See also

• Civic technology
• Digital integrity
• Digital self-determination
• E-government
• Open government
• Service design
• Netizen
• Digital native
• Digital Literacy