Key Principles With Elements of Digital Citizenship

Key principles with elements of digital citizenship
1. Digital Access: full electronic participation in society.

Technology users need to be aware that not everyone has the same opportunities when it comes to
technology. Working toward equal digital rights and supporting electronic access is the starting point of
Digital Citizenship. Digital exclusion makes it difficult to grow as a society increasingly using these tools.
Helping to provide and expand access to technology should be goal of all digital citizens. Users need to
keep in mind that there are some that may have limited access, so other resources may need to be
provided. To become productive citizens, we need to be committed to make sure that no one is denied
digital access.
2. Digital Commerce: electronic buying and selling of goods.

Technology users need to understand that a large share of market economy is being done electronically.
Legitimate and legal exchanges are occurring, but the buyer or seller needs to be aware of the issues
associated with it. The mainstream availability of Internet purchases of toys, clothing, cars, food, etc. has
become commonplace to many users. At the same time, an equal amount of goods and services which
are in conflict with the laws or morals of some countries are surfacing (which might include activities
such as illegal downloading, pornography, and gambling). Users need to learn about how to be effective
consumers in a new digital economy.
3. Digital Communication: electronic exchange of information.

One of the significant changes within the digital revolution is a person’s ability to communicate with
other people. In the 19th century, forms of communication were limited. In the 21st century,
communication options have exploded to offer a wide variety of choices (e.g., e-mail, cellular phones,
instant messaging). The expanding digital communication options have changed everything because
people are able to keep in constant communication with anyone else. Now everyone has the
opportunity to communicate and collaborate with anyone from anywhere and anytime. Unfortunately,
many users have not been taught how to make appropriate decisions when faced with so many different
digital communication options.
4. Digital Literacy: process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology.
While schools have made great progress in the area of technology infusion, much remains to be done. A
renewed focus must be made on what technologies must be taught as well as how it should be used.
New technologies are finding their way into the work place that are not being used in schools (e.g.,
Videoconferencing, online sharing spaces such as wikis). In addition, workers in many different
occupations need immediate information (just-in-time information). This process requires sophisticated
searching and processing skills (i.e., information literacy). Learners must be taught how to learn in a
digital society. In other words, learners must be taught to learn anything, anytime, anywhere. Business,
military, and medicine are excellent examples of how technology is being used differently in the 21st
century. As new technologies emerge, learners need to learn how to use that technology quickly and
appropriately. Digital Citizenship involves educating people in a new way— these individuals need a high
degree of information literacy skills.
5. Digital Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure.

Technology users often see this area as one of the most pressing problems when dealing with Digital
Citizenship. We recognize inappropriate behavior when we see it, but before people use technology
they do not learn digital etiquette (i.e., appropriate conduct). Many people feel uncomfortable talking
to others about their digital etiquette. Often rules and regulations are created or the technology is
simply banned to stop inappropriate use. It is not enough to create rules and policy, we must teach
everyone to become responsible digital citizens in this new society.
6. Digital Law: electronic responsibility for actions and deeds

Digital law deals with the ethics of technology within a society. Unethical use manifests itself in form of
theft and/or crime. Ethical use manifests itself in the form of abiding by the laws of society. Users need
to understand that stealing or causing damage to other people’s work, identity, or property online is a
crime. There are certain rules of society that users need to be aware in an ethical society. These laws
apply to anyone who works or plays online. Hacking into others information, downloading illegal music,
plagiarizing, creating destructive worms, viruses or creating Trojan Horses, sending spam, or stealing
anyone’s identify or property is unethical.
7. Digital Rights & Responsibilities: those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world.
Just as in the American Constitution where there is a Bill of Rights, there is a basic set of rights extended
to every digital citizen. Digital citizens have the right to privacy, free speech, etc. Basic digital rights must
be addressed, discussed, and understood in the digital world. With these rights also come
responsibilities as well. Users must help define how the technology is to be used in an appropriate
manner. In a digital society these two areas must work together for everyone to be productive.
8. Digital Health & Wellness: physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world.
Eye safety, repetitive stress syndrome, and sound ergonomic practices are issues that need to be
addressed in a new technological world. Beyond the physical issues are those of the psychological
issues that are becoming more prevalent such as Internet addiction. Users need to be taught that there
are inherent dangers of technology. Digital Citizenship includes a culture where technology users are
taught how to protect themselves through education and training.
9. Digital Security (self-protection): electronic precautions to guarantee safety.

In any society, there are individuals who steal, deface, or disrupt other people. The same is true for the
digital community. It is not enough to trust other members in the community for our own safety. In our
own homes, we put locks on our doors and fire alarms in our houses to provide some level of protection.
The same must be true for the digital security. We need to have virus protection, backups of data, and
surge control of our equipment. As responsible citizens, we must protect our information from outside
forces that might cause disruption or harm.

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Key principles with elements of digital citizenship

1. Digital Access: full electronic participation in society.

2. Digital Commerce: electronic buying and selling of goods.

3. Digital Communication: electronic exchange of information.

5. Digital Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure.

6. Digital Law: electronic responsibility for actions and deeds

9. Digital Security (self-protection): electronic precautions to guarantee safety.

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