Digital citizenship is the quality of habits, actions, and consumption patterns of technology that affect individuals and communities. Basically, it is the behaviors and attitudes we exhibit when using the technological tools vital to our digital lives. There are many aspects of being a good digital citizen such as recognising your digital footprint, being safe online, and how to effectively communicate in our technological age.

With the rise of technology use, Digital Citizenship Education is very important because it teaches citizens to use technology in order to engage respectfully online, to find reliable online sources and to avoid the violation of human rights. This can be achieved with schools and businesses implementing programs which will encourage people to expand their technological knowledge and promote human rights online.

​Digital Citizenship teaches individuals how to engage and participate in responsible ways of using technology, in order to protect themselves from internet dangers and respect each other’s human rights. According to the Council of Europe, digital citizenship can be defined as:

“The competent and positive engagement with digital technologies (creating, working, sharing, socialising, investigating, playing, communicating, and learning); participating actively and responsibly (values, skills, attitudes, knowledge) in communities (local, national, global) at all levels (political, economic, social, cultural, and intercultural); being involved in a double process of lifelong learning (in formal, informal, and non-formal settings) and continuously defending human dignity”.

It is important to note that Digital Citizenship allows citizens to use technology and humanity in a thoughtful and empathetic manner. 

Why is digital citizenship important?

With the large number of news and media sources, there is a rise in fraud, misinformation, and disinformation. This is why it is important that people choose credible and valid sources.  Fraudsters and sources spreading misinformation and disinformation take advantage of people without technological knowledge. Digital Citizenship Education is necessary because it protects others from being vulnerable to these issues.

Digital Citizenship Education

Digital Citizenship Education encourages individuals to use their knowledge, skills, and understanding to protect and promote human rights online, such as freedom, privacy, and security. In this way, people become more aware of internet safety. This is because digital citizenship education teaches us how to use the internet responsibly and safely, and how to protect ourselves from fraudsters and predators.

With the rise of technology users, this shows the importance of being knowledgeable about fraud, misinformation, and disinformation.