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DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Article · June 2018

DOI: 10.23956/ijarcsse.v8i5.606

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International Journals of Advanced Research in
Computer Science and Software Engineering Research Article May
ISSN: 2277-128X (Volume-8, Issue-5) a 2018

Digital Citizenship
Matthew N. O. Sadiku, Mahamadou Tembely, and Sarhan M. Musa
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, United States
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; smmusa @pvamu.edu

Abstract— Digital media and digital infrastructures keep playing an important role in promoting social interaction
and responsible citizenship. The Internet has been a vital space for interaction, mentoring, and informal learning.
Digital citizenship refers to the ability to participate in online society. It promotes equality and equal participation in
all areas of life regardless of race, gender, and ethnicity. This paper provides a brief introduction to the concept of
digital citizenship, its opportunities and challenges.

Keywords— Digital citizenship, informed citizenship, cultural citizenship online

I. INTRODUCTION
Technology has affected the way we think, communicate with each other, and participate in society. Nations
around the world are moving toward digital citizenship.
Digital citizenship involves acquiring skills to navigate and exist in the increasingly complex, digitally mediated
world. It requires frequent home use of the Internet or frequent participation in web-based activities. Digital citizens
share their creative ability using a wide range of digital tools and technologies [1]. As the Internet is increasingly mobile,
some digital citizens primarily rely smartphones to go on online. These smartphone-dependent Internet users are
especially African-Americans and Latino [2].
Traditionally, citizenship involves nationally bounded membership. It involves three elements: civil, political,
and social. “The civil elements consist of individual rights, such as freedom of speech, thought and faith; the right to own
property; and the right to justice. The political elements offer citizens a chance to exercise power by participating in the
governing processes of the community. Finally, the social elements are composed of economic welfare, security, and
social heritage in the national civic culture”[3]. Citizenship is continually mediated by digital technologies. Government
provides information online and obtains it from citizens online. Politicians interact with their members online. All these
are aspects of the emerging digital citizenship.
Digital citizenship should not be confused with digital literacy, which deals with computer and Internet-based
skills. New types of literacies have emerged regarding the new media such as the Internet, Web, Facebook, YouTube,
and mobile technologies. Digital citizenship requires frequent and effective use of the Internet. It includes civic
engagement which refers to behaviors that are geared toward benefiting the common good. Such behaviors include
political participation, volunteer work, and supporting charities [4]. True citizens are committed to common good and
placing the interest of the community ahead of personal interest.

II. ELEMENTS OF DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Digital citizenship (DC) addresses several levels of responsibility for technology. According to Mike Ribble, the
types of behavior which comprise digital citizenship can be categorized into nine elements [5,6]:
1. Digital Access: Full electronic participation in society
2. Digital Commerce: Electronic buying and selling of goods
3. Digital Communication: Electronic exchange of information
4. Digital Literacy: Process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology
5. Digital Etiquette: Electronic standards of conduct or procedure
6. Digital Law: Electronic responsibility for actions and deeds
7. Digital Rights and Responsibilities: Those requirements and freedom extended to everyone in a digital world
8. Digital health and wellness: Physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world
9. Digital Security (self-protection): Electronic precautions to guarantee safety

These nine elements of DC (not a set of rules) can be implemented to guide students to become good digital
citizens. They can help parents know how to teach their children about being good digital citizens.

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 Sadiku et al., International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering 8(5)
ISSN(E): 2277-128X, ISSN(P): 2277-6451, pp. 18-20
Moonsun Choi has also identified the following four categories constructing digital citizenship [3]:
DC as Ethics: This refers to using the Internet ethically, safely, and responsibly. Good digital citizens should
know how to use technology and the Internet in an appropriate and effective manner. Digital citizens need to be aware of
the devastating effects of thoughlessless and inappropriate online behavior.
DC as Media and Information Literacy: This refers to one‟s ability to access, critically use, synthesize, and
evaluate information online and share with others.
DC as Participating/Engagement: This includes different kinds of online engagement such as political, cultural,
and socio-economic participation. It also includes government participation such as e-voting (or electoral engagement)
and online petition.
DC as Critical Resistance: Critical resistance involves creative, innovative, and non-hierarchal forms of
participation. Digital citizens should be willing to take action to achieve social justice and challenge the existing power
structures.

III. CHALLENGES
There are difficulties faced in dealing with the opportunities and threats brought about by digital media. There
are legitimate concerns about the “darker” side of digital media.
Socioeconomic factors plays a major role in explaining the differential uses of the Internet particularly for
online political participation. The lack of access to Internet that enhances participation in a democratic society
compromises citizenship [7]. The ability to take advantage of the increasing Internet access depends on digital literacy
among the citizens.
Digital citizenship is important for children and youths to develop their digital access and digital literacy.
However, children face some risks online. These include sharing personal information, experiencing pornography, and
encountering cyberbullying and sexting. Responsibility demands that we work together to ensure that Internet is a safer
place for our children.
Scholars have proposed the integration of digital citizenship and cyber-safety into school curricular. Students
should learn responsibilities and obligations of being good, productive citizens.
While digital communication technologies (with the Internet in particular) have expanded rapidly in recent years,
a large part of the global population remains excluded. Increasing human immigration across national boundaries will
lead to heterogeneous population and global citizenship.
Computer hardware/software, Internet access, and mobile phones have spread rapidly and are becoming
available at affordable prices. The rapid spread of Internet tools has affected various aspects of digital citizenship. No one
knows how the Internet will evolve but we know it is an irreversible revolution [8]. Right now, Internet communication
struggles for visibility with traditional media channels. Cyber hate and technology misuse are creating a crisis situation
that requires an intelligent response. While appropriate technology behavior cannot be legislated, it can be taught.

IV. CONCLUSIONS
Digital citizenship means using technology responsibly and appropriately. It has become a priority for schools
where youths are exposed to digital tools such as smartphones, laptops, ipads, and tablets. They should be encouraged to
improve their digital citizenship in their increasingly digital world through education. They are tomorrow‟s adults and it
is our responsibility to teach, coach, and equip them to be responsible digital citizens. They will learn if we provide them
with quality education and universal access to the Internet. We must lead and become advocates of what it takes to be
good digital citizens.

REFERENCES
[1] D. McGillivray et al., “Young people, digital media making and critical digital citizenship,” Leisure Studies, vol.
35, no. 6, 2016, pp. 724-738.
[2] K. Mossberger, C. J. Tolbert, and C. Anderson, “The mobile Internet and digital citizenship in African-
American and Latino communities,” Information, Communication & Soceity, 2016, pp. 1-20.
[3] M. Choi, “A concept analysis of digital citizenship for democratic citizenship education in the Internet age,”
Theory & Research in Social Education, vol. 44, no. 4, 2016, pp. 565-607.
[4] L. M. Jones and K. J. Mitchell, “Definition and measuring youth digital citizenship,” New Media & Society, vol.
18, no. 9, 2016, pp. 2063-2079.
[5] M. Ribble, „Passport to Digital Citizenship,” Learning and Leading with Technology, 2008, pp. 14-17.
[6] M. Ribble, “Digital citizenship for educational change,” Kappa Delta Pi Record, vol. 48, no. 4, 2012, pp. 148-
151.

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 Sadiku et al., International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering 8(5)
ISSN(E): 2277-128X, ISSN(P): 2277-6451, pp. 18-20
[7] T. Oyedemi, “Internet access as citizen‟s right? Citizenship in the digital age,” Citizenship Studies, vol. 19, no.3-
4, 2015, pp. 450-464.
[8] L. D‟Haenens, J. Koeman, and F. Saeys, “Digital citizenship among ethnic minority youths in the Netherlands
and Flanders,” New Media & Society, vol. 9, no. 2, 2007, pp. 278-299.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Matthew N.O. Sadiku is a professor at Prairie View A&M University, Texas. He is the author of several books
and papers. His areas of research interest include computational electromagnetics and computer networks. He is a fellow
of IEEE.

Mahamadou Tembely received his doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Prairie View A&M
University, Texas. He received the 2014 Outstanding MS Graduated Student award for the same department. He is the
author of several papers.

Sarhan M. Musa is a professor in the Department of Engineering Technology at Prairie View A&M
University, Texas. He has been the director of Prairie View Networking Academy, Texas, since 2004. He is an LTD
Sprint and Boeing Welliver Fellow.

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