Digital Citizenship Responsibilites

             We live in a new digital era. Everything related to technology is constantly changing. With these changes come new dangers. With limited knowledge of technology, an individual can steal a person's information, track actions, or utilize technology to bully another person anonymously (Nikolaou, 2021). It is for that reason that digital citizenship has become an invaluable tool in today's society.

            Technology has provided society with a fantastic tool that has made work easier, helped us learn new things, and revolutionized the possibilities that we can achieve. However, with every tool, it must be used correctly. When social platforms first became popular, what a person posted was relatively private. Now, however, anyone with a digital device can find almost any information that has ever been posted about someone else. That is why it is essential to understand that anything we post leaves a permanent digital footprint that is extremely difficult to erase (Erol, 2025). Nine key elements to digital citizenship will help ensure the safe and responsible use of technology. Digital literacy is the understanding of what and how to use technology effectively. Digital access focuses on having the ability to use the technology. Health and well-being promote wellness, whether or not technology is used. Commerce is utilizing technology to facilitate the safe buying and selling of goods. Digital law is needed to understand the rights and limitations of what a person can do online. Digital communication refers to the ability to converse with another person in a digital format. Rights and responsibilities focus on understanding what a person should and should not do online. Etiquette is using responsible behavior online. Lastly, digital security refers to a person's understanding of their expectations regarding privacy in a digital space.

            By understanding that digital space isn't without dangers, we can protect ourselves and our students. It is vital that, as educators, we instill in our students the knowledge of how to be responsible digital citizens. ISTE discusses the importance of teachers modeling the correct use of technology (International Society for Technology in Education, n.d.). As such, we must be the leaders that our students need. Technology is only going to increase. The world will continue to get smaller. As teachers, it is our responsibility to ensure that when our students are on their own, they have been introduced to the correct online etiquette.

 

Erol, M. (2025). Digital Citizenship Education supported by blended learning in primary school. International Online Journal of Primary Education, 14(2), 15–31. https://doi.org/10.55020/iojpe.1661792 

International Society for Technology in Education. (n.d.). ISTE standards: For education leaders. ISTE. Retrieved August 2, 2025, from https://iste.org/standards/education‑leaders

Nikolaou, D. (2021). Bullying, cyberbullying, and Youth Health Behaviors. Kyklos, 75(1), 75–105. https://doi.org/10.1111/kykl.12286 

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