Understanding Digital Citizenship And Responsible Internet Use

With the world at the tips of our fingers, sometimes our thoughts and feelings are governed by the screen—we react hastily to negative comments and posts, we spread information without substantiating the facts, we make assumptions based on a single photo, crucify somebody we barely even know based on one version of the story, or at times, even exchange personal information for a promise of ‘easy money’.

We might be unaware of the impact our posts and ‘reposts’ can make, to a degree where we can make light of our statements and shares, because ‘we felt cute’ and can simply ‘delete later.’

The anonymity that the digital environment sometimes brings makes it easy for us to be preyed upon or sadly, prey on others. But where does the accountability lie?

And as parents, how do we raise responsible digital citizens?

What is Digital Citizenship?

According to an open-access journal on digital citizenship education from Asia Pacific Journal of Human Development and Family Studies (University of the Philippines Los Baños), “Digital citizenship can be simply defined as the responsible act and ethical use of technology. It encompasses the rights, responsibilities, and behaviors that individuals should uphold when engaging in digital spaces and communities.”

The journal also mentions that in 2012, Common Sense Media introduced a curriculum on digital citizenship, addressing the following concepts: internet safety, privacy, cyberbullying, and more. Later in 2016, Choi and eTwinning elaborated on digital citizenship competencies (DCC). Choi identified four categories: ethics, media literacy, participation, and critical resistance. eTwinning, on the other hand, emphasized three pillars: belonging, engagement, and protection. Both frameworks agree that digital citizens use technology to engage with and contribute to the digital world. These efforts aim to define and educate on responsible digital behavior in today’s society.

Digital Citizenship Concepts

Internet Safety

Also known as Online Safety, it is the “ability to understand and recognize threats that exist on the internet, as well as having the skills and knowledge to avoid these threats.”

Digital Footprint

Also known as electronic footprint, this “refers to the trail of data you leave when using the internet. It includes websites you visit, emails you send, and information you submit online. A digital footprint can be used to track a person’s online activities and devices,” according to an IT security company.

Cyberbullying

It is defined by UNICEF as a form of bullying using digital technology in the form of spreading lies via social media, hurtful or abusive messages, images or videos, on online platforms and impersonating someone through fake accounts.

Cyber Security and Data Privacy

According to National Cybersecurity Alliance website, “Data privacy and cybersecurity are different fields, but they go together. Data privacy revolves around rules, guidelines, and your own personal choices about who has access to your data, and how much access they have. Cybersecurity is focused on preventing and solving threats like hackings, malware, and online scams.”

How to be a responsible digital citizen?

According to the University of Michigan, a responsible digital citizen safeguards their personal information, exercises sound judgment, and treats others with respect online. Whether posting on social media, sending an email, or commenting on forums, practicing good digital citizenship creates a more respectful and welcoming online environment for everyone.

Remember that good digital citizenship is marked by responsible online behavior. And to achieve just that, the University of Michigan shares the RAPID principle, which is listed down below.

Respectful
Treat every moment like a job interview or networking opportunity.

Authentic
Each task is a chance to show pride and who/what you represent. Your digital footprint is also your brand, personally and professionally. Your content reflects upon you and your family.

Positive
The Internet may be the longest relationship you ever have. Only post what you are willing to commit to forever.

Intelligent
Social media puts the world at your fingertips; leverage that power. Listen. Learn. Engage.

Distinctive
Be platform specific. Curate what you share specifically to your network and audience.

How to use the internet responsibly : tips for children

“1 in 3 internet users worldwide is a child – too little is done to protect them from the perils of the digital world and to increase their access to safe online content.”

That’s according to UNICEF's annual flagship report in 2017 which tackled the state of the world's children in a digital world. “For better and for worse, digital technology is now an irreversible fact of our lives,” stated former UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.

“In a digital world, our dual challenge is how to mitigate the harms while maximizing the benefits of the internet for every child,” Lake said.

Below are 10 tips prepared by UNICEF on how to navigate the online community and digital environment while keeping safety and security a priority.

UNICEF Tips for safe internet use

1. Don’t keep your fears to yourself. If you are worried about your safety or something that has happened to you online, urgently speak to an adult you trust.

2. Respect what other people are saying on social media, even if you do not agree with them.

3. You have the right to privacy – and so do others. It is not okay to log onto other people’s accounts or to use their phones or profiles without their permission.

4. Don’t spread rumors or post/share hurtful or embarrassing stories or photos. What may seem like a harmless joke to one person can be deeply hurtful to others. We all have the right to dignity and to be treated with respect.

5. Think twice before you click ‘send’ – especially if you’re upset or angry. Once you share a photo or a video it’s hard to control what happens to it and who sees it. Removing it is nearly impossible.

6. If you’ve seen something on social media that made you upset or hurt you, you can report it. On many social media platforms you can report a specific post or photo if it is against the community standards of the social media platform. Most social media platforms let you “block” a person so that you don’t see their content and they cannot contact you or send you messages.

7. You can change the privacy settings on your social media platforms to help you control who sees your information, photos and videos. Think carefully through what you share with whom. It may seem obvious, but don’t share personal information like your address, phone number, or bank details. If your privacy settings are not secure, anyone can see this information.

8. Making new friends is great, but before you accept a person you should have a look at their profile – try to see who they are. Do you have friends in common? Are you from the same town? Don’t feel pressured to accept random friend requests. Check your privacy settings so that this person does not see any information that you don’t want them to see. Remember that sometimes people pretend to be someone they are not and it’s hard to know if they are telling the truth about who they are.

9. Be careful about any job offers that you receive online. Did you apply for a job or contact anyone for a job? If you did not, this could be a scam and you need to be very careful. Do some research about the company or business. Be careful when going to meet someone for the first time if you have only met them on the internet. We strongly recommend that you don’t go alone. Instead, ask an adult you know well and trust to come with you and arrange to meet in a public place.

10. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Talk to someone you trust and get their advice on what to do.

Do you think Filipinos desperately need a guide to raising kids in a digital world? Find out here!