When you first hear the phrase “digital citizenship”, what are some things that come to mind? Do you think of the websites you visit, your social media profiles, or the people you follow? All of these are involved in the idea of digital citizenship, and how it applies to you. The website “Media Smarts, Canada’s centre for Digital Media Literacy”, defines digital citizenship as “the ability to navigate our digital environments in a way that’s safe and responsible and to actively and respectfully engage in these spaces.” This connects to my previous blog posts about the concepts of a digital footprint and digital literacy.
The internet is often seen as this nebulous and anonymous place, where you can do whatever you please with no repercussions; this is an incorrect and often dangerous perception to have. We have been given this incredible tool that has the ability to be used for nearly anything the human brain can conceive, and yet it is used to harm and oppress other people. As an internet user, or digital citizen, it’s important to remember that your online actions can have offline consequences. The focal point of digital citizenship is to use the internet and other digital resources safely and respectfully, while building communities with others. It is everyone’s job to be a responsible digital citizen.
The students we will be teaching as future educators are already three steps ahead of us when it comes to understanding and navigating the internet. This seems to be a common occurrence, as children often grow up using technology and see how it constantly improves. It is our job as teachers to help our students navigate the internet in a safe, and positive way. We need to educate them on the negative, as well as the positive. It’s important that students are aware of what they are able to do, and have the self control to make the best decision. The choices that are made online can have real life consequences.
An important way to first teach students on how to be a responsible digital citizen, is to teach empathy. Remind your students that there is always someone behind the screen, and what they say can affect that person mentally and emotionally. Remind them to look at themselves and how they feel when someone is unkind to them. How does it make them feel? Why do I feel the need to be unkind to others? Encourage them to be active in their online communities with positive actions, and ask them what they think that looks like. When given the chance, students can and will provide great ideas. By teaching students early about digital citizenship, they are able to navigate the internet safely, make positive connections, and create change online and offline.
Photo Credit: Maddie Corbett, July 2024.
