Technology is evolving at an ever-increasing speed. For most, a large part of our day is spent in the digital world. From banking, interacting, learning, and communicating, digital tools are at our fingerprints and provide us with a solution for everything. Today, online interactions and transactions are replacing real world ones.
While technology provides individuals with an infinite number of services and benefits, digital use can also be abused. Often, this occurs without the responsible person realizing that they may be doing something problematic. Each time we use technology, we have a responsibility to abide by certain rules and guidelines. Proper digital citizenship is fundamental to a safe and successful digital world.
What is Digital Citizenship?
Digital citizenship describes the responsible use of technology by anyone who uses technology, the Internet, and digital devices to engage with society on some level. Digital citizenship is similar to citizenship in the physical world — it’s all about how you behave as a member of your community!
Digital citizenship is directly related to digital literacy and focuses upon the social skills and cultural competencies of individuals online. Two fundamental aspects of digital citizenship are educating yourself and connecting with others.
Online, there is both good and bad digital citizenship.
Good digital citizenship includes creating lasting relationships through connecting online with the use of digital tools, empathizing with one another, and using technology responsibly. Bad digital citizenship, however, entails cyberbullying, irresponsible social media usage, and a lack of knowledge about how to properly use the internet.
It is essential to teach employees about digital citizenship to improve productivity. Moreover, proper digital citizenship is essential in facilitating and maintaining relationships online.
To increase your knowledge and appreciation of the practices that are needed to ensure you are a good digital citizen and to learn more about what it entails, consider registering for our course Digital Citizenship: Conducting Yourself in a Digital World.
