Journal #6

A New Concept of Citizenship for the Digital Age

Greenhow, Christine. (2010). A New concept of citizenship for the digital age. Leading and Learning with technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25564&DirectListComboInd=D

Students to be prepared for the 21st Century global market have to be educated in the six important 21st-century competencies: technological fluency, innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, problem solving, and digital citizenship.

The 2007 NETS•S defines digital citizenship as the ability to practice and advocate online behavior that demonstrates legal, ethical, safe, and responsible uses of information and communication technologies. To comply with the NETS, educators need to develop and model these competencies and facilitate their development in students, but what constitutes "legal, ethical, safe, and responsible" is not entirely clear.

The definition of digital citizenship varies among countries, cultures, school systems, agencies. What is legal, ethical, safe and responsible for a group of people it’s not the same for another.

Young people are learning to promote their participation in civic life through Internet-based volunteering, campaigning, and lobbying. They also are learning to contribute through the creation of "youth media," such as blog entries, e-zines, podcasts, videocasts, and online communities that present discussion and debate about political, social, and cultural issues.

Researchers from the University of Kansas have identified nine elements of digital citizenship: digital etiquette, digital communication, digital access, digital literacy, digital commerce, digital law, digital rights and responsibilities, digital health and wellness, and digital security. Young people should be aware of privacy laws, copyright laws when downloading music or other media files, respectful participation in online chat rooms or social networks.

Two research insights on digital citizenship: “Cyberbullying” and "Moral Spaces in MySpace: Preservice Teachers' Perspectives about Ethical Issues in Social Networking," .

It’s important to educate students on bullying behaviors and teach preventable measures. Also the ethical issues in social networking provided educators some guidelines on how to deal with privacy issues of students and their own.

Why is important to educate young people about digital citizenship?
People spend a great deal of time on the internet. Most people can’t go a day without turning on their computer. People communicate, socialize, shop, conduct business online. It’s important for young people to be aware of acceptable language and safe practices online. The lack of face to face interaction doesn’t mean people shouldn’t maintain their moral and ethic standards.

How can teachers teach about cyberbullying?
This topic should be presented in a lesson where students learn how to identify a cyberbully. Young people should be aware of implications of a cyberbully, how to avoid and what to do in case they fall victim.