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Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

1.   Digital Access

We need to be aware of the fact that we all don't have the same opportunities 

when it comes to access to technology.   A starting point in working toward equal 

digital rights and supporting electronic access is digital citizenship. We need to 

provide and expand access to technology to all citizens.   Some citizens have 

limited access to technology so other resources may be needed.   Let's commit to 

making sure that no one is denied digital access.

2.   Digital Commerce

 A large share of the market is being bought and sold electronically.   Legal 

exchanges are occurring between the buyer or seller, but everyone needs to be 

aware of the associated issues . The availability of Internet purchases of toys, 

clothing, cars, food, etc. has become an everyday event to many users.   Equally 

there are goods and services which are in conflict with the law. Users need to be 

aware of the illegal exchange of goods and services via digital technology.

3.   Digital Communication

One of the biggest changes within the digital environment is a person’s ability to 

communicate with other people.   Increasing digital communication options have 

changed everything because people are able to keep in constant communication 

with others.   Users are able to communicate and collaborate with anyone, 

anywhere, and anytime.   Sadly, users do not know   how to make the best 

decisions with so many different digital communication options available.

4.   Digital Literacy

Students should be aware that their is plenty of good and useful technology 

available to them. There is a focus on what technologies must be taught as well as 

how it should be used.   Just as students have a need to access information,  

workers need immediate information as well.   Learners must be taught how to 

learn in a digital society.   They must be taught to learn anything, anytime, 

anywhere.   As new technologies emerge, learners need to know how to use 

technology quickly and appropriately. Digital Citizenship is educating people in a 

new way.

5.   Digital Etiquette

Digital etiquette is one of the most pressing problems when dealing with digital citizenship.   

Many people are not aware of what is appropriate behavior before using technology.   

Often rules and regulations are created or the technology is simply banned to stop 

inappropriate use.    We need to not only create rules and policies related to appropriate 

behavior with technology, but we must teach everyone how to be responsible digital 

citizens in society.

6.   Digital Law

Digital law deals with the ethics of technology.   There is theft and breaking of the law in 

the digital world. Users need to understand that stealing or causing damage to other's is a 

crime.   There are laws that address these crimes and they apply to anyone who works or 

plays online.   Other forms of crime include hacking into others information, downloading 

illegal music, plagiarizing, sending spam, or stealing anyone’s identity or property. All of 

these are unethical.

7.   Digital Rights & Responsibilities

There are a basic set of rights extended to every digital citizen. Digital citizens have the 

right to privacy, free speech, and other basic digital rights.   These rights need to be 

understood in the digital world.   Along with these rights are also responsibilities.   Its up to 

users to define the appropriate use of technology.

8.   Digital Health & Wellness

A new set of health concerns need to be addressed in the technological 

world.   These concerns are both physical and psychological in nature.   Users 

should be taught that there are underlying dangers in technology. Digital 

Citizenship is where technology users are taught how to protect themselves 

through education and training.

9.   Digital Security

In the digital world we have stealing, defacing, and even destroying just as 

there is in our regular society.   We must protect against these things and 

provide digital security. We need to have virus protection, backup of data, 

and surge control of our equipment. As responsible citizens, we must protect 

our information from outside elements that might cause disruption or harm.

Personal Practices

     As I reflect on my personal practices of using the Internet the word I 

would use to describe it would be extremely “Guarded”.    Because of this 

attitude, I have always been very limited in my use of the internet.   My 

attitude borders on being slightly fearful of the internet because of the 

negative aspects it can present.   I have made it a practice not to have a face 

book page, twitter account, or anything I feel would ask me to reveal 

something personal about myself.   I, for the first time, joined a google 

community last semester only because it was required for another IDT 

course.   I think a lot of my attitude toward the internet stems from my first 

introduction to the internet.

     In 1994 I was assigned to a Vocational School in Memphis City Schools to 

teach Computer Education.   I was placed in a classroom with fifteen 

computers and twenty students.   This school was located in a low socio-

economic area of the city where 99% of the students did not have computers 

at home.   The fascination with being able to get on their own computer each 

day was high.   Of course they wanted to get on the computer and do 

everything but their assignment. 

Because the use and access of computers was so new in the classroom for 

student use, there were few rules or instructions.   Each teacher was on their 

own to make it work.   It was a free for all which was disastrous.   With no 

guidance from the top (i.e. district, principal,) we had to figure out how to 

effectively use this resource on our own.   There was definitely a need for 

acceptable use policies.   AUP’s – for both teachers and students – are 

agreements regarding what is appropriate use of technologies, and the 

consequences for violations (Riddle, 2011).   This would have made it clear 

to both teacher and student the expected use in accessing the internet.

      Now that I have returned to teaching after having been gone for over eight 

years, I would like to have a better handle on using the internet.   Because the 

internet is such a powerful resource of information, there are some practices 

on the internet that I do participate in.   I use email, research information 

(e.g., lesson plan, recipes, how to, etc.).   But unlike my experience in the 

90’s, I now try to model the suggestions of Riddle that “foremost, teachers 

should model ethical behaviors for students, such as avoid using 

copyrighted works on course handouts, and provide appropriate reference 

citations." (Riddle, 2011).

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