Digital Citizenship

06/05/2024 Monday

Promoting Digital Citizenship

In today’s session, we have learned about the digital citizenship. Digital citizenship is the ability to engage positively, critically and competently in the digital environment. The participation in the digital world should be in such a way that it fosters positive interaction between the social media users knowing the rights and responsibilities of every individuals. In addition, digital citizenship is guided by certain laws and etiquette with regards to the use of technology in this digital era. It also enables people to use digital tools wisely, appropriately, and in an empowered way in which it plays a vital role in the life of every social media users. Furthermore, it is composed of nine elements which prepare students and teachers on how to use the digital tools appropriately and accurately. The nine elements are:

1)      Digital access (equal access to computer and internet

2)      Digital commerce (online business)

3)      Digital communication (electronic exchange of information)

4)      Digital literacy (usage of digital technology-how and what to browse, knowing regulations)

5)      Digital etiquette (code of conduct in the digital world)

6)      Digital law (rules that bound and protect the users from harm while using technology)

7)      Digital health and wellness (physical and psychological impact of technology)

8)      Digital rights and responsibilities (individuals freedom of rights to voice out)

9)      Digital security (precautions and procedures that prevents or protect personal information)

In this modern and technologically bounded era, teacher plays a vital role in making students aware about the digital citizenship, especially the policy so called acceptable user policy (AUP). That being said, teachers will have to teach the young ones on how and when to use the technology in an appropriate manner. Of all, the main role is to teach them what technology really means in this digital world. What are some of the pros and cons of using technology? How to overcome those challenges regarding the usage of technology? We cannot ignore the fact that technology brings about lots of benefits in teaching in learning. It enhances student’s engagement, increased in performance rate, more exploration, cater the needs of every learners and so on. Moreover, it ensures the overall academic achievement of every students despite the fact that it equipped the children with technological knowledge and skills. The digital world grants teachers with the platform to easily assessed the knowledge and skills of their students thereby making the informed decisions on what is the next step that he or she must followed to ensure the progress of the child. The digital world of today will surely fantasize the mind and every bits of moments of today’s youth and society as a whole. But then, we shouldn’t overlook the role that it will play in reciprocal way if we use the digital tools excessively and in limitless manner. As a result, teachers as a guidance and role model should be well aware of the nine elements of digital citizenship. After that, it is important to make the students aware of those nine components so that they can keep themselves unharmed, and to know when and how to use the digital tools wisely and appropriately.