Trinidad, Heart Millare TTL 1

BSE-English Reporter
no:

The 9 elements of digital citizenship

Digital Citizenship- refers to the responsible use of technology by anyone who uses
computers, the Internet, and digital devices to engage with society on any level.

The online environment should be a safe space in which everyone feels protected.
Since education is at the heart of society, students should be taught to use technology
in a responsible manner, ensuring the safety of the online environment for generations
to come.
1. Digital Access
Although we live in a digital era, not everyone has access to technology. As
teachers, we should be aware of this digital divide. Not all students can afford a
computer, a smartphone, and Internet access. That’s why educators need to
provide suitable alternatives for each student's needs.

2. Digital commerce
Digital commerce highlights the necessity to tackle safety issues related to
using money in the digital world. Technology is also used in the classroom to
teach students about the various career paths they could choose.
Understanding how e-commerce works is a must, both as consumers and as
potential entrepreneurs.

3. Digital communication
Online communication has become so common that students forget they are
doing so in a virtual space, where miscommunication happens often. The
Internet has given a voice to anyone who needs it. In turn, this
requires empathy and appropriate reactions from its users.

4. Digital literacy
Digital literacy also includes the ability to differentiate between real and fake
content, which can have a negative impact on the lives of your students. They
 need to learn which content is good for them and what they should avoid in order
to lead a balanced life.

5. Digital etiquette
We should teach students to become “digitally fluent”. Digital etiquette shapes
their online behavior to respond positively to online content. In this way,
their online attitude is reflected in the real world and vice versa.

6. Digital law
The online environment has room for both positive and negative
interactions. Digital law deals with legal rights and restrictions governing
technology usage. To prevent any kind of online crime, no matter how serious,
students as digital citizens need to know the law and how it applies to them in
particular.

7. Digital rights and responsibilities

The online world has its regulations and a user has rights and responsibilities.
The Internet can also be used for harmful purposes and anyone
needs protection against cyberbullying, for instance. Schools should approach
this subject in classrooms, hold students accountable for their actions, and report
any misconduct in the virtual environment.

8. Digital health and wellness

Students should be taught to protect themselves and others from potential
harm and ask for help if they need it. Using online resources is a plus, but
everyone should be aware of the dangers as well.

9. Digital Security
Security in the online world is important. When using devices at school or at
home, students should be aware of potential malware attacks. Teachers should
explain how to prevent them from happening and how to protect their devices as
much as possible.
Cyberbullying- Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell
phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps,
or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or
share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful,
false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private
information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some
cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

Special Concerns

Persistent – Digital devices offer the ability to immediately and continuously

communicate 24 hours a day, so it can be difficult for children experiencing
cyberbullying to find relief.

Permanent – Most information communicated electronically is permanent and public, if

not reported and removed. A negative online reputation, including for those who bully,
can impact college admissions, employment, and other areas of life.

Hard to Notice – Because teachers and parents may not overhear or see cyberbullying
taking place, it is harder to recognize.

Laws and Sanctions

There are two sources of federally collected data on youth bullying:

 The 2019 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey
(National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice) indicates that,
nationwide, about 16 percent of students in grades 9–12 experienced
cyberbullying.
 The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System(Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention) indicates that an estimated 15.9% of high school students were
electronically bullied in the 12 months prior to the survey.

Report Cyberbullying
Steps to Take Immediately

 Don’t respond to and don’t forward cyberbullying messages.

 Keep evidence of cyberbullying. Record the dates, times, and descriptions of
instances when cyberbullying has occurred. Save and print screenshots, emails,
and text messages. Use this evidence to report cyberbullying to web and cell
phone service providers.
 Block the person who is cyberbullying.

Report Cyberbullying to Law Enforcement

When cyberbullying involves these activities it is considered a crime and should

be reported to law enforcement:

 Threats of violence
 Child pornography or sending sexually explicit messages or photos
 Taking a photo or video of someone in a place where he or she would expect
privacy
 Stalking and hate crimes

Report Cyberbullying to Schools

 Cyberbullying can create a disruptive environment at school and is often related

to in-person bullying. The school can use the information to help inform
prevention and response strategies.
 In many states, schools are required to address cyberbullying in their anti-
bullying policy. Some state laws also cover off-campus behavior that creates a
hostile school environment.