Digital
citizenship refers to the responsible use of information technology by anyone
who uses digital devices, computers and the Internet in order to engage in
society, politics, and government on any level.
Digital citizenship is one of the most important pillars on which the state relies on finding solutions to issues that concern society.
As technology advances, it is necessary to establish controls and standards to deal with this progress.
As technology is integrated into
modern society, especially in the education sector, digital citizenship is an essential skill that all students need to possess.
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| How can we sponsor a global digital society and why responsible digital citizenship matters to the world? |
Technology and Digital Citizenship - How to Sponsor Global Digital Society and Why it Matters to the World
Technology and Digital Citizenship
We are
witnessing a tremendous revolution in the field of technology and digital information.
Technology
has become an important and indispensable part of life. The revolution of
information technology carries many pros and cons of individual and society.
It is our
duty as users of the technology to employ technological means in the correct
ways, in accordance with sound ethical rules, taking into account the religious
and legal controls to reduce the negatives on society.
So we aim to
work together to spread the right concepts of digital citizenship and
contribute to the proper application to move towards a conscious and educated
society.
As the world
reaches the technological realm, it presents us to developing and backward
countries.
Technology
users, who have adopted many technological aspects, may be called "digital
immigrants" despite their mastery, but as if they are learning a new
language at a later stage of their lives.
As digital
citizens are young people and teenagers, most of the students, technology
attracts their attention and interest, and that is why they are the most
committed and attached to it.
So there are
many questions in mind how to use technology properly and correctly.
As it enters
everyday life, it is thought that it has caused many negative and bad habits
like using a laptop while walking, or talking during the class day in classes
and lectures.
There are
many examples of technology misuse and exploitation, whether at home, school or
society in general.
In the light
of these poor uses, there is a need to identify appropriate practices and to
establish clear and explicit principles and foundations when using these digital technologies because of a large
number of challenges facing digital citizens.
So in the
future, we have to create structured legislation for the use of technologies,
and there should be self-censorship.
As the use
of technology is growing rapidly, future challenges are also increasing
speedily and becoming more difficult to face them, therefore, it is expected
that, with digital citizenship, everything will be better in the future.
Read more: What is Digital Citizenship and Why is Digital Citizenship Important in Education?
Read more: What is Digital Citizenship and Why is Digital Citizenship Important in Education?
What is Responsible Digital Citizenship?
Digital
citizenship is one of the most important pillars on which the state depends on
finding solutions to issues that concern society.
As
technology advances, it is necessary to establish controls and standards to
deal with this progress.
The
so-called digital citizenship, which enables us to overcome the disadvantages
of technology in general, is not technical, but a culture that should be
available to all digital users.
Responsible
digital citizenship means having social media skills to participate in online
community life in a safe, ethical and respectful manner.
If
you have a smartphone or social media account, and you use an online
educational platform or create digital content, then you are a digital citizen.
It
is a crime to steal, hack, illegally download or harm other people's work,
identity or property online, so if anyone who is involved in any kind of
illegal activity is not a responsible digital citizen.
Good
digital citizens behave lawfully, respectfully, protect their privacy and
reputations and treat others the same way.
A
responsible digital citizen recognizes his / her rights and responsibilities
while using digital media and thinks about whether his online activities are
causing any harm to himself and others?
Digital citizenship and the Education System
How can
digital citizenship be used in the classroom?
The concept
of digital citizenship has a strong relationship to the education system, as it
can help teachers, students and parents in general, to understand what
students need to know in order to use technology appropriately.
Digital
citizenship is more than just an educational tool. It is a means of preparing
students for full involvement in society and active participation.
Of course,
there are many problems related to technology, which if applied digital values
of citizenship disappeared completely from our lives, including:
- Not to use technology in the right track.
- Linking the use of technology to negative habits, such as the use of mobile while driving.
- The emergence of many electronic problems, such as information crimes, hacking, and piracy.
- E-discussions on networks that have no relation to social ethics.
- Low level of electronic security.
- Low technology use skills of many learners and some teachers.
- Lack of desire of some to use technology in education, and use it for social entertainment only.
- There are many destructive calls and misleading news on technological means.
- Lack of a general culture of technology use in life.
- Excessive use of technology, causing some to be damaged.
How do we make our generation more
conscious, aware and responsible?
We emphasize
the beginning that the main goal of education is to help students prepare for
their future because technology will be part of this future, not just providing
them with basic science and knowledge, because knowledge exists everywhere and
their role lies in their good selection under this information momentum.
Based on
what we say, we need learners who are equipped with a critical and innovative
mentality that will enable them to deal with all forms of existing technology
and will emerge in the future.
We want to
develop a digital society that has the values of citizenship, and all this is
achieved through the curriculum.
Are our curricula in the present form incorporating the
concepts of digital citizenship? What is the role of curriculum development
towards digital citizenship?
In order to
answer the first part of the question, we must diagnose the reality and analyze
the content of the current education curricula and issue clear judgments.
Then we
define the needs based on scientific foundations and we build the curriculum
components in the light of digital citizenship.
As for the
second part of the question, the role of curriculum development is great in
instilling values in general and sound principles in the minds of learners and
the consolidation of constants and ethics.
This is not
achieved by simply adding a course or topic within a curriculum, but by
incorporating the values of digital citizenship into the curriculum and making
it a general framework through which educational situations are presented.
One of the
most important values of digital citizenship: respect the learner for himself
and others, as well as protect himself and others around him, self-learning and
good communication with others.
Even to
protect the learner himself and others must be used to the use of critical
thinking skills that protect the owner from blindness without control or
awareness, and to practice the analysis of positions and evaluate them
scientifically logical assessment, and also able to skill selection of good
alternatives, and accommodate the rights and responsibilities of digital
citizenship.
For example,
when a student creates or publishes something that preserves rights, in
contrast when using any published material, he must preserve the rights of
others by documenting the source.
Finally,
instilling the values of digital citizenship is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Rather, these values must be included in the future approach, because when
developing the curriculum, we must take into consideration the nature of the
age in which we live and its consequences.
This is in
line with the general objectives of education in accordance with the National
Transition Program 2020 and the 2030 vision.
This
included curriculum development and enhancing the values and skills of students
so that students become aware and strong and possess the necessary knowledge
and skills for the future such as critical thinking, problem-solving, decision
making, self-control, and others.