By: Caleb Dunn, Seasonal Public Relations Intern | Digital4Good

We live in a world heavily reliant on digital technology for everyday needs — but do you know what it means to be a good digital citizen? 

Digital citizenship is a crucial topic too often overlooked by social media users. Engaging in digital citizenship can help alleviate social media addiction and other unhealthy habits children and adults have formed around technology. 

Read on to learn the importance of digital citizenship education, the risks of engaging in certain activities online, and how to teach your children and teens to practice digital citizenship in their everyday lives. 

What Is Digital Citizenship? 

Digital citizenship is the practice of using digital technology, specifically social media, in a way that is responsible, healthy, and safe. Practicing digital citizenship can be as simple as putting your devices away when doing homework or checking up on a friend who is getting negative comments on social media. 

Aspects of Digital Citizenship

• Online Privacy and Safety: Be cautious about what information you share online, such as your name and location. You never know who is watching your posts.

• Responsible Use of Technology: Know appropriate times to put your device away, such as after excessive use or when hanging out with a friend.

• Ethical Behavior: Do not engage in negativity online: avoid leaving rude comments, sending inappropriate messages, or putting someone on blast for a mistake they made. 

The Risks of Being Online 

With smart devices, the students of today have easy access to the internet almost 24/7. Growing up with a phone in your pocket is normal for most students. 

Many of these kids are experts when it comes to the mechanics of social media. Unfortunately, problems arise when they aren’t taught how to properly deal with the uncomfortable and even dangerous situations they encounter online.

Let’s take a look at the most common risks of using digital technology.

• Cyberbullying: This can take place on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, as well as through text messages. Cyberbullying is one of the most dangerous types of bullying, as the perpetrator is hidden behind a screen and can quickly spread harmful information about the victim online. 

• Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Children can be exposed to inappropriate content even when they aren’t intentionally searching for it. Moreover, social media algorithms can generate more of that same content if your child briefly interacts with one appropriate post. 

• Privacy Breaching: Some people will create fake profiles to impersonate your child’s friends and ask for confidential information like passwords. As a rule, avoid giving out private information to anyone online. 

Minimize the Risks

Holding a conversation with your child about digital citizenship is the first step to guarding their safety online. Make sure your child understands they can still use technology and have a social media presence, but must set limitations and boundaries for themselves. You don’t need to avoid technology entirely to be healthy. What’s important is knowing how to protect your privacy, use your devices responsibly, and create healthy networks online.

Below are essential tips for practicing good digital citizenship. Go over each point with your child to ensure they understand the importance of each.

• Avoid oversharing and posting personal information online
• Set screen time limits on your most commonly used apps
• Leave a friendly comment on a friend’s post
• Share an uplifting quote online
• Set up Two-Factor Authentication on all apps 
• Avoid suspicious links and report phishing 
• Make it a point to hang out with friends in person, not just online
• Avoid looking at your phone the first hour you are awake and the last hour before going to bed

After the initial conversation, it is important to regularly engage in open communication with your child about their technology use. Encourage them to ask you questions about what they see online and to share what they are engaging with on social media. 

Key Takeaway

Excessive use of technology can take away from our social lives and change our everyday habits without us even realizing it. By practicing digital citizenship, your child can maintain a meaningful “in-person life” while effectively managing their digital life. 

Remember, your child’s devices are your devices too. Talk to them about the apps they use, set screen time limits, and educate them about the importance of digital citizenship.  

For more digital citizenship strategies and tips, please visit our website, TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook.