Digital Citizenship as a multifaceted topic is still evolving

Digital Citizenship has evolved significantly as digital technology and the internet have become integral to nearly every aspect of daily life. At its core, it revolves around human behavior—how we act, especially when we think no one is watching.

Today, Digital Citizenship involves responsible and effective technology use, encompassing skills and behaviors that range from online etiquette and digital literacy to online safety and the ethical use of digital resources. With the increasing prevalence of AI in society, the need for AI literacy has become more relevant, ensuring that individuals not only understand how AI works but also how to interact with it responsibly and ethically.

Expanding this concept to include Digital Leadership further broadens the scope of Digital Citizenship. Digital Leaders are proactive and purposeful in their online engagements. They go beyond passively consuming content to actively contributing to and shaping the digital world. These individuals set standards for responsible digital behavior and inspire others to use technology in ways that are ethical, respectful, and productive. This role is becoming increasingly crucial as digital environments evolve and the impact of technology on our lives deepens.

A Digital Leader in the context of Digital Citizenship:

1. Advocates for Positive Change - They use digital platforms to advocate for positive social change, drive community initiatives, or lead movements that make a difference in the digital realm.

2. Promotes Digital Literacy and Safety - They educate and empower others in their community to use technology safely and responsibly. This includes understanding the importance of privacy, recognizing the dangers of cyberbullying, and being aware of misinformation and its impact.

3. Models Ethical Behavior Online - A Digital Leader exhibits integrity in their online interactions, showing respect for intellectual property, engaging in honest communication, and demonstrating empathy and respect for diverse perspectives.

4. Fosters Inclusivity - They work towards creating an inclusive digital environment, where diverse voices are heard and respected, and where digital access is considered a right for all.

5. Leads by Example in the Digital Realm - Through their actions and decisions, they set an example for responsible and constructive digital engagement, influencing peers and younger generations to be thoughtful and intentional in their digital interactions.

In essence, Digital Citizenship with a focus on Digital Leadership is about empowering individuals to use technology not just responsibly, but also to lead and inspire others to create a more ethical, respectful, and productive digital world. This concept is crucial in an era where digital technology plays a central role in communication, education, work, and social interactions.

The overlapping areas of Digital Citizenship:

Digital Access - full electronic participation in society.* 

Internet technology enables people to interact with each other and access a vast range of resources. However, not everyone has online access, because of poverty, remoteness, discrimination, disability, and/or government restriction to name the more common factors. The gap betw:en those that have access and those that haven’t is called the Digital Divide. 

Digital Commerce - the electronic buying and selling of goods.

All pervasive algorithms that ingest trillions of data points every day to produce over six million predictions per second! Endlessly adjusting personalised models of people’s brand loyalties, cravings, and desires. All mined from the ever-deeper forays into their lives and minds, to be sold to the highest bidder with practically no government oversight, to manipulate their decision-making processes, their future. This is all about becoming an intelligent online consumer.

Digital Communication - the electronic exchange of information.

Internet technology opened up many novel ways to communicate with each other, but these new, often disembodied forms of communication require appropriate protocols to ensure clarity of meaning.

Digital Literacy - the ability to find, evaluate, utilise, share, and create content using information technologies and the Internet.

Digital literacy borrows much from traditional literacy but offers new forms of reading and writing, each with its own possibilities and liabilities. Digital literacy empowers people using the Internet to be critical thinkers and makers, effective communicators, and active citizens.

Digital Etiquette - the electronic standards of conduct or procedure.

Acceptable online behaviour mirrors acceptable offline behaviour, but in addition requires a few adaptations for it can be disembodied, anonymous, asynchronous, and with far-reaching characteristics. Empathy, the learned ability to share someone else’s feelings or experiences, is integral to this element, as with online exchanges it can be easily forgotten that there are real human beings on the ‘other’ side.

Digital Law - the electronic responsibility for actions and deeds.

The Internet expansion into the world has been so fast that legislation has yet to catch-up to protect people and business, but many aspects, such as copyright, sexual predation, sexting, data protection, and privacy have already been enshrined in a range of national and international laws.

Digital Rights and Responsibilities - those requirements and freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world.

The Internet is like a club, with its own rules and regulations, where members enjoy its benefits and privileges, but also share its responsibilities. 

Digital Health and Wellness - physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world.

Internet technology can be addictive and lead to physical dangers. This element focuses on the physical and mental well-being of online users. It covers a range of strategies to prevent ailments and encourages the use of technology responsibly.

Digital Security - the electronic precautions to guarantee safety.

Sensitive digital data is collected in vast amounts and stored in large data centres around the world. This data can be illegally sought after by third parties and therefore must be protected by robust strategies. This element also covers personal digital security. To become aware of personal online threats and how to protect yourself and your creations.

*Definitions from Digital Citizenship in Schools by Mike Ribble