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Digital Citizenship Reflection Essay

Bonnie Villarreal

Lamar University
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Digital Citizen Reflection Essay

As an educator it is important create tools to help our students develop into good digital

citizens. I created a Prezi that links the nine digital citizen elements and states the definition of

each element. The presentation further evaluates the importance of equal access and a digital

footprint. The presentation discusses copyright law and singles out cyberbullying because of the

devastating affects it could have on a person. As with anything digital, the presentation will have to

be updated periodically, since the digital world is always evoling and new innovations are

constantly coming at us.

The world around us is not always tangible, as the globe is digitally connected. As citizens

of a complex community, we now have to consider how an appropriate digital citizen should

communicate and function properly. Mike Ribble (2015) has given nine elements of digital

citizenship that help establish a comprehensive plan to follow for research and education. The

elements include digital access, digital commerce, digital communication, digital literacy, digital

etiquette, digital law, digital rights and responsibilities, digital health and wellness, and digital

security. Each element is an essential part of creating a well-balanced digital citizen.

Digital access is the ability to participate in a global digital society using technology

(Ribble, 2015). The access gap is a problem in many economically disadvantaged school districts.

Not all students have the ability to access technology at home and may have limited data on smart

phones. It actually creates an inequity in the ability for students to be able to do their school work

with a large portion of assignments now being at the mercy of technology. Another component to

access is network neutrality. Net neutrality is supposed to create a neural internet, where there is

free and open access to the global internet (An introduction to net neutrality, 2014). Net Neutrality

Law went into effect in 2015, but was again repealed in 2017. The original law stated that internet
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providers could not slow down the internet to companies that use a large portion of band width, but

do little to profit. Schools and libraries are non-profit, but use mass amount of technology at the

same time. The repealed law now only states that the internet providers have to be transparent in

how they regulate the data available (Reardon, 2017). It has the possibility of decreasing band

width to schools or charging them enormous amounts. The economically disadvantaged schools

would have decreased digital access.

Digital commerce is the buying and selling of products through technology. Fraud and

massive debt has taken place in this element without knowledgeable consumers (Ribble, 2015).

Students should be made aware of the scams and debt that can occur through technology. Most

students should not be doing much commerce at school, but it is something educators should make

them aware of.

Digital communication is the digital exchange of information using numerous different

technology devices (Ribble, 2015). We can talk on the phone, email, instant message, comment

and post on social media, comment and view websites or blogs, and video chat, to name a few.

Proper and appropriate communication is a vital component to being a good digital citizen. The

tone in a message can be miss read, at times, given the digital route someone chooses. If a person

writes a professional email in text language and abbreviations, the receiver of the message may not

get the true meaning and discern the sender as poorly educated.

Digital literacy is the education and learning about technology as it advances (Ribble,

2015). Everyday new applications, new social media platforms, new digital resources surface. We

have to ensure we are using the best technology for the processes we are trying to perform. Using

technology throughout the curriculum and within all classes will ensure students are multifaceted

in digital skills, aside from social media.

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Digital etiquette ensures that the conduct is appropriate for the technology being used

(Ribble, 2015). Educating students about staying off their phones during meetings, using the

classroom as an example is digital phone etiquette. Addressing the issue of proper use of lower

case and upper case letters is another example. Educators need to set the examples.

Digital law has been put in place to protect digital property and those in vulnerable

categories (Rubble, 2015). It is imperative that whoever is using technology knows the laws

involved. In a global society this can be difficult. The laws protect the original owners of products

made digitally and written. There are laws to protect our youth from deviant predators. There are

laws to protect against scams and fraud. Digital law and cybersecurity is a constantly evolving

field with advancements happening daily.

Digital rights and responsibilities are given to digital users freely, but there are

responsibilities involved. A digital society must respect others using the technology even if they

cannot see each other (Ribble, 2015). Empathy and self-esteem are issues the need to be taught.

(Brewer & Kerslake, 2015). Students want to do the right thing, but they do not always know how

to treat someone properly. It is easier to mislead and hurt someone’s feels that they cannot see. We

have to relay to them that there are people with feels attached to the devices.

Digital health and wellness encompasses the physical, as well as the mental wellbeing of

the digital users. Over use can lead to stress on many body functions. There has to be a healthy life

away from technology at times (Ribble, 2015). Simon Sinek did a wonderful interview about

Millennials in the Workplace (2016). Simon says, we just need to leave our phones at home

sometimes and be in the moment with the ones we care about. The documentary “Generation

Like”, shows how youth’s self-esteem is wrapped around the number of “Likes” they get on their
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social media (Koughan & Ruskkoff, 2011). Health and wellness can also be affected in a positive

way with digital media. There are apps that can be used to track fitness workouts and food intake.

A presentation on digital citizenship for students should start with all the elements involved

and then concentrate on the areas that would most affect those involved. To have a successful

technology program at school, students need access to the digital resources and well supported

internet access. “Fully 96% of teens from households with an annual income of $75,000 or more

per year say they have access to a computer at home, but that share falls to 75% among those from

households earning less than $30,000 a year.” (Anderson & Jiang, 2018). A school that is in a low

socioeconomic area could have the possibility of having many students that do not have computer

access at home. The students will rely on the school for access to the internet. As mentioned

previously, if internet companies are allowed to slow down nonprofit customers, the access to the

digital world would be limited. “A student with rich access to Web-based resources has an extreme

advantage over one who does not” (Ribble, 2015). Limited access to the internet and technology

creates a huge inequity in education for those in lower socioeconomic communities.

Another important area of digital citizenship to focus on is the digital footprint they are

leaving behind as they communicate digitally. “45% of teens now say they are online on a near-

constant basis” (Anderson & Jiang, 2018). Most of the time teens are on line they are using social

media platforms to communicate. Every time we search the internet or post on social media, digital

data is left behind. The data creates a digital footprint (Understanding the Impact of Technology-

the Digital Footprint/Tattoo We Leave Behind, 2019). Teens need to know that colleges and future

employers are now asking to show them what they are posting. What they are posting can be

shared around the globe rather quickly. Marketing companies use the information posted and

“liked’’ to target advertisements to each individual person, increasing the possibility of that person
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purchasing the items. Teens should be aware that they can make a positive digital footprint by

showing the contributions they are making in the society. The choices teens make today digitally

can affect their whole life.

As educators assist learners in becoming good digital citizens, they cannot forget to include

the legal aspects involved as it is presented. Copyright and cyberbullying are two subjects that

need to be addressed. Copyright is “legal right to control the production and selling of a book,

play, film, photograph, or piece of music” (Ransley, 2011) written or digital. Cyberbullying is the

deliberate and frequent harm generated by any digital device in the form of oral, visual, written or

textual content brought on by another person (Hinduja and Patchin, 2015). The results of

cyberbullying has ended in devastating events. Students need to learn empathy for all citizens.

Teaching digital empathy creates a way for students to relate to the people behind the technology

they are using. There are legal and social consequences for the defined cyberbully.

Every presentation has desirable qualities and areas that could be improved. While

brainstorming the type of platform to use for a digital citizenship presentation, a Prezi seemed the

most appropriate. Prezi’s are quite digital and link each of the topics to each other. Prezi’s have

become quite advanced since I first started using them. Some of the templates were intimidating

and would have had an extensive learning curve. I did not have the time element needed for an

extensive learning curve, so I had to choose a more basic template with less interactive features. I

also choose not to upgrade to the professional package, which was expensive, but would have

included an audio capability. The basic Prezi package does not allow for a voice over, which was

not discovered until the presentation was done and I was trying to add a voice over. I would have

liked to add a voice over and add commentary to the presentation. The presentation does cover all

the aspects of digital citizenship but a commentary could have given even more detail. If the
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presentation were ever used in a distance learning class, I would upgrade and add commentary. In

a regular classroom, commentary could be added in person.

Digital citizenship is a topic students must learn about in our digital age. The nine elements

of digital citizenship (Ribble, 2015) give an appropriate way for our students to connect to the

digital world. Some aspects may need more focus than others. Digital access, digital literacy, and

digital law are among those that may need an extra focus. A presentation on digital citizenship is

an essential learning tool for students. With the amount of technology our students use today,

digital citizenship education cannot be over looked to ensure we have a well-functioning society.
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References

An introduction to net neutrality. (2014) Retrieved from

http://www.marshalldata.com/2014/05/an-introduction-to-net-neutrality-what-it-is-what-it-

means-for-you-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/ (Note: This is an introduction before the

FCCs ruling)

Anderson, M. and Jiang, J. (2018, May 31). Teens, social media & technology 2018. The Pew

Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewinternet.org/2018/05/31/teens-social-

media-technology-2018/

Brewer, G., & Kerslake, J. (2015). Cyberbullying, self-esteem, empathy and loneliness.

Computers in Human Behavior, 48, 255-260.

https://luonline.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-4065185-dt-content-rid-60879419_1/xid-

60879419_1

Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2015). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: Preventing and responding

to cyperbullying. (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Koughan, F. and Rushkoff, D. (2014, Feb. 18). Generation like. Frontline (documentary video).

PBS. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/generation-like/

Ransley, L. (2011, July 2). Copy right in the digital age. TEDxGoodenough College. Retrieved

from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmDeBYosaJU

Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know (3rd

ed.). Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education

Reardon, M. (2017). What you need to know about the FCC’s net neutrality repeal. C/net.

Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/news/fcc-net-neutrality-repeal-ajit-pai-what-you-

need-to-know/
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Sinek, S. (2016, Oct, 29). Millennials in the workplace. YouTube (video). Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=hER0Qp6QJNU

Understanding the Impact of Technology- the Digital Footprint/Tattoo We Leave Behind. (2019).

Week 2 Lecture. Digital Learning & Leading. Lamar University. Retrieved from

https://luonline.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_

148727_1&content_id=_4065140_1