As we venture into a world becoming more digital each day, we must develop the necessary skills that will allow us to succeed in future careers and endeavors. Literacy is defined as the ability to read, write, and understand the native language. Digital literacy is the equivalent but applied to skills such as accessing and processing of information, and ultimately designing and developing their own personal information (SREB, 2018). Digital literacy, as a set of skills, is the foundation to building responsible Digital Citizens.
Digital Citizenship is defined as the norms of behavior with regard to technology use (Ribble et al, 2004). Successful digital citizens will need to develop their skill levels in digital literacy that includes (but not limited to) such things as Communication, Education, and Responsibility. These items are highlighted in the article Digital Citizenship: Addressing Appropriate Technology Behavior by Ribble, Bailey, and Ross (2004). In the online arena, responsible digital citizens are those that can safely and successfully navigate the digital world (Tan, 2011). We will briefly look at the three items listed above in the remainder of the article, while acknowledging that there are many more items that still need to be addressed.
Communication, in relation to digital literacy, is the electronic exchange of information (Ribble et al, 2004). According to the afore mentioned article communications technology use (texting, instant messaging, and email) has increased over the years and the use of these technologies have created certain side effects such as poor grammar and inappropriate writing habits. This can be overcome by modeling more appropriate behavior by using short hand only when necessary, using clear and concise language, and allowing the use of mobile technology in learning where applicable (Ribble et al, 2004).
As technology has become more prevalent in education, to the point where it is as common as a chalkboard, there are challenges on how to use it appropriately. The introduction of technology into the classroom needs to be addressed on a professional development level where teacher and instructors are provided proper ways to use technology in the process of learning (Ribble et al, 2004). The proper ways to use technology in, and out of, the classroom is tremendously important to digital literacy and educating individuals on the basics will create responsible digital citizens in the future. Digital citizenship involves the education of people in a wide range specific digital literacy skills (Tan, 2011).
Responsible use of technology entails many components such as causing damage to others, dis-respectful behavior, theft of work, and hacking (Tan, 2011). Digital responsibility is the process of understanding how our behavior will effect ourselves as well as other. The Ribble (2004) article cited the illegal downloading of music (mp3 files) as an example of stealing others work without compensation - a form of theft determined by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) (Ribble et al, 2004) This can be translated to the downloading of movies using the torrent system in today's society. The authors suggest encouraging discussions on ethical behavior surrounding the ideas of fair use and copyright laws as they evolve to better fit a new digital age. Participating in many of these irresponsible acts are actually against the law (Tan, 2011) and suffer from real world ramifications. Without understanding responsible digital behavior, many individuals may find themselves in rather precarious situations.
Digital literacy, as a means to positively manipulate information, allows us to display ourselves as a more competent individual within our social circles, in the professional world, and an overall indicator of our digital social skills. A digital citizen is someone who has developed these skills and is able to actively participate in a positive manner, obtain an awareness for false narratives, and seek out truth through multiple sources (Milenkova & Lendzhova, 2021).
Works Cited:
Ribble, M. S., Bailey, G. D., & Ross, T. W. (2004). Digital Citizenship: Addressing Appropriate Technology Behavior. Leading and Learning With Technology, 32(1), 6–9.
Southern Regional Education Board. February 2018. 10 Issues in Educational Technology.
Tan, T. (2010, November 30). Educating digital citizens. Leadership. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ965963
Milenkova, V. V., & Lendzhova, V. V. (2021). Digital Citizenship and Digital Literacy in the Conditions of Social Crisis. Computers, 10(40). https://doi.org/10.3390/computers10040040
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