Digital citizenship is the responsible and informed use of the internet and other computer technology to participate in society. People widely interact with one another through such technologies as email, smartphones, social media, and text messaging. Users of these technologies bear certain responsibilities, much like the citizens of a country. Not all these responsibilities are established in or enforced by law. However, practicing good digital citizenship can help to keep online interactions civil and computer users safe. Fostering good digital citizenship is a major concern in education.
Good digital citizenship often requires the practice of empathy (understanding for others). Online exchanges often lack the tone and context that come with face-to-face conversations. This fact can make it easy to share quick, harsh judgments or hurt people’s feelings. Good digital citizens consider the feelings of others in their online interactions.
Understanding how technology works is an important requirement for digital citizenship. For example, inexperienced users may share controversial material online, thinking only a few people will see it or it will not last long. Knowledgeable internet users know that technology makes it extremely easy to copy, store, and spread even seemingly private messages.
Digital literacy is another major component of digital citizenship. It is the ability to critically evaluate information spread over the internet, determining its source and credibility (believability). Good digital citizens work to identify credible information and avoid misinformation.
Online security is another important element of digital citizenship. Good digital citizens are careful which programs they download off the internet. They thus avoid spreading or falling victim to malware (harmful computer programs). Good digital citizens are careful with their computer passwords, helping to protect themselves and their acquaintances from cyberattacks.
Finally, good digital citizens are conscious of the digital divide, the difference in access to technology between people of wealth and poverty. People in poor countries—and poor people around the world—often have less access to digital technology. Good digital citizens are aware that such people may be disadvantaged in online interactions. Their viewpoints may be absent from online discussions.
Bad digital citizenship can lead to ignorance, hostility, and even violence. Ignorance can spread over the internet through the sharing of misinformation. Hostile online interactions can escalate into real-life acts of violence. Cyberbullying, the use of electronic devices to inflict intentional and repeated harm on others, is a major concern in digital citizenship.
