DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP 1

Yuhao.Qiao

CUIN 3313

Professor Dogan

04-28-2018

Digital Citizenship/ Appropriate use of Technology in School

Introduction

Digital citizenship is a field that enables teachers, parents, technology users, and other

relevant individuals to understand the required the conduct in relation to the use of technology so

that they can ensure the appropriate use of computers and technology in general. Thus, digital

citizenship helps in preparing the young students on how to use technology appropriately without

affecting themselves or others. It is common for both students and adults to abuse or misuse

technology instead of applying it to improve their lives and those of others. In digital citizenship,

the students are taught various ethics, norms, accepted behaviors, maintenance, safety, among

other relevant components that ensure technology is used responsibly. This text explores various

aspects that should be covered in digital citizenship education for students.

Etiquette

Etiquette in the field of computer and technology use is normally referred to as

Netiquette, and it involves teaching students the how to be courteous when using the Internet and

computers in general. It is essential for the students to understand the various rules that apply to

different communication channels used in the digital platforms such as social media, emails, and

others.
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP 2

It is essential to teach them about etiquette in using computers as this is helpful in making

them understand what it is like to be a good citizen. Etiquette is crucial in verbal or physical

communication between people, and the students are taught about it. Thus, due to the importance

of the Internet and computers in modern communication, they should also be taught about

Netiquette to turn them into responsible citizens who are capable of communicating effectively

using the Internet in addition to using technology for the right purposes. By emphasizing the

importance of etiquette in technology, issues such as cyberbullying can be avoided.

Some of the things they can be taught under his concept include appropriate writing style,

being nice and polite, avoiding profanity, avoiding personal attacks, and other rules that are

applicable to face to face communication or interaction.

Creative Credit to Original Sources

Due to the incorporation of technology in academics, most papers and assignments are

done using a computer in the modern world. With the availability of free information on the

Internet, students are tempted to copy or steal information from their original writers. This is

considered illegal as it amounts to the heft of intellectual property. In fact, the problem is so

serious that the issue of plagiarism has become common in the education sector (Ribble, 2012).

Thus, to avoid plagiarism cases and the stealing of information, the students should be

taught how they can refer to original texts in the legal and correct format to avoid copying and

plagiarism. Copying and plagiarism do no juts affect the original owner of the information. They

also impact the student negatively because his creativity and learning ability are affected by

copying. This makes the grades the students acquire in school useless due to the fact that he has

not learned anything by copying or plagiarizing the works of others. Hence, by teaching the

students about giving credit to the original author of the academic information, the education
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP 3

sector can be improved, as the students are able to use valuable information from the Internet in

the correct way.

Preservation of Self-Image

Through social networking sites, the young people can share their personal information,

thoughts, and opinions with millions of people on the Internet. Most of this information is not

erasable, as it is known that the Internet does not forget. Thus, it is essential for the students to

ensure that they preserve their personal image when sharing information on the Internet as this

might ruin their reputation for good. Thus, the students should be taught the importance of

thinking about the consequences of the information they share on the Internet as it might haunt

them for the rest of their lives (Buente, 2015).

By learning about the importance of preserving their personal image when using

technology, the students can avoid posting information that might affect their careers in future,

hurt the feelings of others, and other forms of information that the students would not like their

parents or families to see. Thus, they can preserve their reputation when they are effectively

taught about this concept.

Safety

Computers and other digital electronics are all powered by electricity, which is extremely

dangerous when used inappropriately. Hence, it is crucial for the stunts to be taught about safety

measures when using technology to avoid cases of electrocution. Hundreds of lives are lost

through electrocution, which can be avoided by following the appropriate safety procedure when

using technology (Voogt et al., 2015).

The Internet is also filled with massive sources of information and entertainment. Some

of these sources are dangerous or inappropriate for school-age individuals. They include
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP 4

pornographic sites, radicalism and extremism sites, and many more. It is, therefore, essential to

teach the students how to avoid these sites for their own safety and morals (Couldry et al., 2014).

Other sites are also filled with information that is not credible which can mislead them when they

are carrying out research and other academic assignments. By teaching them how to avoid such

sites, their academic future can be safeguarded.

Safe handling of Technology Equipment

It is a privilege for most students to have technology equipment in their schools because

there are numerous schools around the world who cannot access them. The technology

equipment is expensive to purchase and also repair. Hence, the students should be taught the

proper handling of the equipment to avoid damaging them (Curran and Ribble, 2017).

The safe handling of the equipment involves the appropriate physical handling, which

can prevent physical damage to the equipment. It also involves looking out for suspicious

messages and other malicious software that might contain harmful computer viruses. The safe

handling of technology equipment ensures they remain in acceptable condition for as long as

possible to save costs of purchase and repair.

Responsibility

Apart from teaching the students the various rule and regulations that are relevant in

using technology, it is also essential to teach them about their responsibilities towards the

equipment. This involves the overall expectations that the teachers and other relevant individuals

have on the students when singing technology (Hill, 2015). In his case, the student should be

educated on how they can be responsible when using the technology equipment and it can
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP 5

include the rules on carrying food and drinks when using computers, basic maintenance of the

equipment including computers and extension chords, among other important elements.

Effective Digital Creation

Digital creation is the development of appropriate digital information that can be used by

other users. It is essential for the teachers to teach the students on effective digital creation so

that the students can find ways of contributing to the Internet for their sake and the sake of other

individuals who use it around the world. Digital creation is also a career opportunity with

millions of people earning a living through digital creation.

Appropriate Exploitation of Technology

This involves teaching the students on how they can exploit the technology appropriately

to enhance their learning, entertainment, and other aspects of their lives. The Internet and

technology, in general, have numerous applications, which can benefit students immensely if

used ad effectively appropriately. Hence, the students can benefit from learning how to make

good use of the Internet and computer technology (Ribble, 2015).

Ethics

It is possible for students to use technology inappropriately mostly due to the anonymity

that is possible when using the Internet. Hence, if the students are not educated on the ethics that

are necessary for using the Internet, they might end up becoming irresponsible citizens who ruin

their lives and those of others (Choi, 2016). Thus, it is essential to teach the students about ethics

in using technology t avid such cases.

Limitations of Technology

Another important lesson that the students can be taught includes the limitations and

disadvantages of technology. Most of the young people in schools spend a significant amount of
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP 6

time on the Internet or their Smartphones, which can affect their social lives in the real world. To

avoid the excessive use of technology, the teachers should educate the students on the

disadvantages of over-reliance on technology to avoid a situation where the students are affected

by the excessive use of technology.

Conclusion

Digital citizenship involves teaching students the appropriate and acceptable use of

technology for their benefit and the benefit of the future population as a whole. Currently,

technology is embroiled in almost every aspect of life which means that it is crucial to ensure

that young people especially students are taught how to use it effectively and appropriately. By

teaching them, the concepts explained in the text, teachers and other relevant authorities could

ensure that the students are transformed into responsible citizens both for the benefit of the

students and the society as a whole.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP 7

References

Buente, W. (2015). Relating digital citizenship to informed citizenship online in the 2008 US
presidential election. Information Polity, 20(4), 269-285.

Choi, M. (2016). A concept analysis of digital citizenship for democratic citizenship education in
the Internet age. Theory & research in social education, 44(4), 565-607.

Couldry, N., Stephansen, H., Fotopoulou, A., MacDonald, R., Clark, W., & Dickens, L. (2014).

Voogt, J., Knezek, G., & Roblin, N. P. (2015). informed strategies to address educational
challenges in a digitally networked world. Education and Information
Technologies, 20(4), 619-623.

Curran, M. B., & Ribble, M. (2017). P–20 Model of Digital Citizenship. New directions for
student leadership, 2017(153), 35-46.

Hill, V. (2015). Digital citizenship through game design in Minecraft. New Library
World, 116(7/8), 369-382.

Ribble, M. (2012). Digital citizenship for educational change. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 48(4),
148-151.

Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know.
International Society for Technology in Education.