Promoting Digital Citizenship

 

Explain the concept of Digital Citizenship? Elaborate the Nine Elements of the digital citizenship.

Digital citizenship is the ability to safely and responsibly navigate digital environments and engage in these spaces actively and respectfully. We live and interact in the digital world in much the same way we do offline, but we don't always pay close attention to what we do online. This is considered a key skill for protecting students from harmful content, cyberbullying, privacy risks, misrepresentation, viruses, and more. Being a digital citizen means knowing what's right and wrong, demonstrating intelligent technology behavior, and making good decisions online. Digital citizenship is the norm for proper and responsible use of technology. Digital citizenship also refers the responsible use of technology by everyone who interacts with society at all levels using computers, the Internet, and digital devices. 

1.   Digital Access: Digital access is the ability to fully participate in a digital society. This includes access to tools and technologies such as the internet and computers that allow full participation. Unfortunately, not everyone has full digital access and cannot fully participate in the digital world. The disconnection between those who have full access and those who do not is known as the digital divide. As teachers, it is important to be aware of this digital divide and provide appropriate alternatives to enable students to participate equally in the digital world. Digital technology and the internet should be accessible to everyone so that all students have equal access to educational resources. It is the responsibility of every educator to provide all students with equal opportunity to learn with the same learning equipment.  

2. Digital commerce: Digital commerce is an activity of buying and selling products electronically through online services or the Internet. It enables customers to purchase goods and services through an interactive self-service experience. This includes processes such as market research and customer acquisition, data analysis and even supply chain management. Digital commerce begins when a customer first encounters a brand or product online. You may see ads on social media feeds, your brand's domain name in Google search results, or product listings from retail aggregators. Some examples of Digital commerce are online retail: this involves selling physical products online, like clothes, electronics, or home goods, digital products: Ebooks, software, mobile apps, online courses, and digital subscriptions (like streaming services), online market places like amazon, ebay and etc.

3. Digital Communication: The transmission and reception of data in the form of digital bit streams or digitized analog signals sent over point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication channels. This includes sharing information and ideas across digital platforms such as social media, messaging apps and email. Effective and appropriate communication is essential to avoid misunderstandings and maintain cyber security, especially when sharing confidential information with colleagues. For example, sending an e-mail containing confidential information to a colleague.

4.  Digital Literacy: Acquiring basic knowledge and skills to handle digital technology such as PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. It includes both the technical and cognitive skills necessary to create, evaluate and share information. Being digitally literate helps individuals use technology safely and avoid potential dangers. Digital citizens need to be able to navigate online resources, assess the reliability of information, and use digital tools for creative expression and problem solving. For example, only digital natives are familiar with courses on the Internet, so they take them. 

5.  Digital etiquette: Digital etiquette, or sometimes called netiquette, is a basic set of rules to follow to make the internet a better place for yourself and others. Just as there are rules in real life, there are rules in face-to-face situations. This includes respecting the privacy of others by not sharing personal information, photos or videos without their consent, avoiding flaming, and not using offensive language. Adhering to netiquette promotes positive relationships and helps prevent misunderstandings, conflicts, and other negative effects on the Internet. For example, making a loud phone call in public is a violation of netiquette and considered disrespectful. 

6. Digital law: Digital law is electronic obligation for behavior, ethical or unethical conduct. It refers to the laws and regulations that govern the use of technology and the internet. It is designed to provide legal guidance and protection to individuals and businesses working in the digital sphere while promoting a safe and fair online environment. It is imperative that you are aware of the laws regarding intellectual property, privacy and conduct online and act responsibly and ethically online. For example, downloading copyrighted material (music from certain file-sharing sites) from the Internet falls under digital law because it is illegal to reproduce someone else's work without prior permission and consent.
 

7. Digital Rights and Responsibilities: It refers to the rights and obligations that each individual has when using digital technology and the Internet. It guarantees the right to privacy, freedom of expression, access to information and protection from harm, and the responsibility to use digital technology in a safe, ethical and responsible manner. Access, use, create and publish digital media; access and use computers, other electronic devices and communications networks; Digital rights are an extension of human rights in the Internet age. It is our duty as educators to educate our students about appropriate and responsible behavior by providing reliable and valid information. 

8.  Digital Health and Wellness: This relates to physical and mental well-being when using digital technology. Excessive social media use can lead to emotional health issues such as anxiety and depression. Therefore, you should be aware of the potential risks of excessive screen time and online addiction. In addition, you should be able to maintain a balance between your digital and offline activities. For example, use ergonomic furniture to minimize physical harm, limit screen time, and wear blue-light-blocking glasses to reduce eye strain. It should be used responsibly to avoid physical, mental and family problems. Remember, technology is important to people, but it also affects their health. Try to spend as little screen time as possible and with family and close friends. 
  

9. Digital security: It refers to measures or safeguards that ensure that digital identities and personal data are protected from harm. Protect all types of data from theft or loss. Therefore, you should understand the importance of using strong passwords, avoiding phishing scams and other online threats, and protecting your personal and financial information online. For example, it has the latest virus protection, firewall, surge protection, etc. Essential for protecting sensitive data, protected health information (PHI), personally identifiable information (PII), intellectual property, personal information, data, government and corporate information systems. 

Q. What is the role of teacher in digital citizenship?

Teaching digital citizenship means understanding the key elements of a subject and enabling learners to achieve the same level of awareness. Educators play a key role in promoting the digital citizenship of their students. This is because students spend a considerable amount of time with them, especially during class hours. As such, we have a responsibility to teach students the importance of using digital technology in a responsible, safe and ethical manner. Educating students about the dangers and responsibilities that come with using technology can help students take active roles in the digital world.
Teachers can raise awareness of online scams, cyberbullying and phishing attacks. Teachers can educate students on how to protect personal information and maintain privacy online. Teachers can encourage students to use technology responsibly and respectfully by addressing issues related to copyright, plagiarism, and online etiquette. Teachers may encourage students to report inappropriate behavior  

Q. what are the digital rights and responsibilities you as teacher should carry out in society, community and world?

In today's digital age, it is critical that educators understand and protect their digital rights and responsibilities for themselves and others. As educators, it is important to implement community awareness programs to educate individuals on how to become responsible digital citizens who can use technology safely and ethically in society, communities, and the world. Teachers can organize activities to engage the community and raise awareness of digital rights and responsibilities through workshops, presentations, discussions, and online quizzes. Educate your community about online scams, cyberbullying, and phishing attacks. Teachers can initiate advocacy programs in society. Discuss digital rights such as privacy rights, freedom of expression, and access to information, intellectual property rights, and digital security. In addition, we can talk about digital responsibility such as act ethically and responsibly online, respect information, and avoid cyberbullying and cyber harassment. 

Q. Share your personal judgment, observations, and experiences that younger generation in using technologies? (Positive or negatives- How?)

I think technologies has both positive and negative impact on the younger generation. A year old child who can barely speak or hear clearly needs to watch youtube while they are eating, when they cry, to fall asleep and a lot of other things. It might help them learn but too much screen time at such early age hampers their eye sight a lot. Technology is very beneficial if used in a right way. It has a lot to teach and learn. Children making use of technology seems to be doing far better socially compared to children who are not constantly in touch with technology. In today’s generation technology has become the most advanced source of information. It is easier to use, portable, saves a lot of time, resources but on the other hand if it is not being used in a proper way it will have a lot negative impact on the child both physically and mentally. It can spoil their health and they can learn of inappropriate things from the internet. One disadvantage of technology is drifts away people from each other. There is no attachment like before. Family and friend time has no value. So from my point of view the impact of technology on younger generation is a debatable topic.