What is a digital citizen?

A person who develops the skills and knowledge to effectively use the Internet and other digital technology, especially in order to participate responsibly in social and civic activities. (Dictionary.com)

A digital citizen refers to a person utilizing information technology (IT) in order to engage in society, politics, and government participation. In qualifying as a digital citizen, a person generally must have extensive skills and knowledge in using the Internet through computers, mobile phones, and web-ready devices to interact with private and public organizations. (Wikipedia)

Digital citizenship is the continuously developing norms of appropriate, responsible, and empowered technology use. Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology. The issue is more than what the users do not know but what is considered appropriate technology usage. (Digital Citizenship)

The 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship

Respect Yourself/Respect Others

1. Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure.

2. Access: full electronic participation in society. 

3. Law: electronic responsibility for actions and deeds.

Educate Yourself/Connect with Others

4. Literacy: process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology. 

5. Communication: electronic exchange of information. 

6. Commerce: electronic buying and selling of goods. 

Protect Yourself/Protect Others

7. Rights and Responsibility: those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world.

8. Safety (Security): electronic precautions to guarantee safety. 

9. Health and Welfare: physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world.

Student Statistics 

• 72% of teens say that they use Instagram.

• Only 51% of teens say they use Facebook. 96% of online American teens watch YouTube videos.

• 60% of American Snapchat users are under 25 and 41% of teens use the platform.

Source: "Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences (2018)" - commonsensemedia.org

Are we teaching students to be good digital citizens?

At Socially Savvy, we focus on helping students be their own best brand stewards and have sound digital judgement. We help students with their personal brand building by assisting them to understand the right way to activate their online identities, grow and deepen their network, manage their content interactions and form good habits of behavior in the way they interact digitally. Through the development of the skills required to be proficient in the professional use of social media, students are better prepared to be productive digital citizens.

Key Take Aways for Students

1. Invest in yourself and your career readiness by learning the professional use of social media. Spend the time needed to become proficient in the digital communication and networking skills that improve your career readiness. This translates to activating and optimizing your complete social identity, growing and deepening your online network with the right audience, becoming an original content creator and making communication on social media part of your normal routine.

2. Use sound judgement in all communication and interactions both on and offline. Allow your goals, values and beliefs to inform your online and social media actions and guide your digital behavior.

3. Professional online communications is the key to digital personal brand building. Your credibility, authority, reputation, and influence can be greatly enhanced through the effective use of social media. Comport in a way your wish to be perceived to differentiate yourself as an individual.