Definition of Digital Citizenship

The concept of digital citizenship is premised on encouraging and developing learning opportunities for youth to develop their online proficiency, engagement and creativity, rather than focusing exclusively on the ways in which digital media can be used detrimentally. A microscopic focus on the negative aspects of digital communication usage among youth ignores the potential benefits of digital media, and the possibility for youth to engage in socially responsible digital behaviour.

Digital citizenship also involves “legal literacy,” that is, an understanding of where the law defines the line between joking, teasing, or harmless actions and criminal behaviour. As governments move towards harsher penalties for cyberbullying, it is essential that youth, as well as their parents and schools, learn the legal risks of their actions and how to protect themselves online.

Define the Line believes that bans, filters, and zero-tolerance policies are not helpful or productive in addressing cyberbullying. What is needed is support to help youth define reasonable and realistic boundaries of responsibility and accountability; and education that raises awareness of the serious impact of cyberbullying and cyber-lurking/voyeurism, with a view to providing an alternative online information that is entertaining – but does not demean or dehumanize others.

The challenge lies in helping youth come to their own recognition of ethical and legal boundaries when encountering negative forms of online information, and fostering leadership among all stakeholders, young and old, towards social responsibility and digital citizenship.

Source
http://definetheline.ca/dtl/definition-of-digital-citizenship/

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