Week 4: The Digital Citizen

When I think of digital citizenship, I am immediately drawn to the idea of citizenship and the rights and responsibilities that come with it. For a variety of reasons, mainly my own education and teaching background, I place a high value on incorporating the principles of citizenship into my Social Studies courses. However, when you add the term digital to citizenship, it seems to get much more complicated and, in my experience, it is not part of elementary or high school curriculum. Many educators struggle with "when should it be taught" and "who teaches it." Some even wonder "what is it?"

The Microsoft Safety and Security Center defines digital citizenship as "the norms of behavior with regard to technology use." The concept includes a variety of concepts ranging from digital literacy to online safety and good digital citizenship should be practiced "when you use computers, gaming consoles, or mobile devices (to) promote a safer online environment for all." According to Microsoft, a high percentage of teenagers use technology today. 

• 97% of teenagers play computer games
• 93% of teenagers use the internet
• 75% of teenagers use mobile phones

Additionally, Microsoft offers some staggering statistics about the misuse of technology by teenagers that have negative, and in some cases, criminal, consequences. These statistics support the need for digital citizenship to be part of school curriculum. 

• 91% of teenagers share nude/semi-nude images and suggestive messages sent to them
• 49% of teenagers report receiving or viewing hateful, sexist, or racist comments
• 43% of teenagers have been victims of cyber bullying 

On a positive note, Microsoft also reported that American teenagers and parents "are actively managing their online reputations -- with an eye toward good digital citizenship." This sentiment further supports the need for digital citizenship in the classroom. With a growing need to monitor online behaviors and teach safety skills, their has never been a better time to advocate for digital citizenship.

As we begin integrating digital citizenship into the classroom, the common question is "who teaches it?" The answer is simple -- everyone. Parents are students are responsible for monitoring and managing online behaviors, while teachers bare a responsibility with the influx of Chromebooks, iPads, and other 1:1 devices in the classroom. The starting point for teaching it lies within the Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship. Many, if not all, of these themes can be connected to each grade level and incorporated into a K-12 curriculum.

Image Citation

There are an abundance of resources to build a digital citizenship curriculum. Common Sense Media integrates the themes (with a slightly different terminology compared to above) using the following scope and sequence:

• K-2 introduces the themes of internet security, literacy and communication
• Grades 3-5 build off of the above themes and integrate the themes of etiquette and rights and responsibilities  
• Grades 6-8 also build off of previous themes and focus on law (source citation and cyber bullying)
• Grades 9-12 emphasize self image and communication (including your digital footprint)

Several options exist for implementing the curriculum. The themes can be addressed in computer classes or by classroom teachers. In many cases these themes can be integrated into existing curriculum. Teachers can take 10-15 minutes to focus on a particular theme before using online sources for research or social media for collaboration. At Wilson Focus School in Omaha, Nebraska, Mr. Pane shares a lesson he developed for his fifth grade class to evaluate sources using superheros!

Super Digital Citizen Video Link

As the term citizenship begins to evolve and take on new meanings in the digital age, it is essential that students learn the foundations of digital citizenship in order to avoid the misuses of technology that today's teenagers are experiencing. With more schools emphasizing the themes of internet safety and security, literacy, and communication, students will be better prepared for the social and academic landscape of the 21st century.