Digital citizenship refers to being responsible, respectful, and safe when using technology and the internet. There are nine themes of digital citizenship that should be taught: digital access, digital commerce, digital communication, digital literacy, digital etiquette, digital law, digital rights and responsibilities, digital health and wellness, and digital security. Teachers, especially school librarians, should educate students on these themes so that students can make smart and respectful decisions online.

1. Digital Citizenship
Leslie Luken
LIS 647 Summer 2014
Current Trends Presentation

2. Introductory Video
 The following video gives a great introduction to
digital citizenship. Click on the link and enjoy.
 Be a Digital Citizen

3. What is Digital Citizenship?
 It is …
 Being responsible
 Being respectful
 Being safe
 Buying and selling items
 Communicating effectively
All while on the internet and using technology.

4. Nine Themes to be Taught
(Ribble, 2014)
 Digital Access
 Digital Commerce
 Digital Communication
 Digital Literacy
 Digital Etiquette
 Digital Law
 Digital Rights & Responsiblities
 Digital Health & Wellness

5. Digital Access
 Digital access means everyone is given the
opportunity to have access to electronics.
 For a school and school media library, everyone
within the school would have access to a
computer and any other technology that is
offered at school.
 The school librarian would ensure that all
students have access to that technology and
that it is as up-to-date as possible.

6. Digital Commerce
 Digital commerce is the ability to buy and sell
things on the Internet.
 The school librarian will need to teach students
how to recognize ads on websites and that if
they click on the ad it will take them to a
completely different site.

7. Digital Communication
 Digital communication is the ability to talk with
others via email, text messaging, instant
messaging, etc.
 The school librarian’s job is make sure students
understand how to be responsible, safe, and
respectful when communicating through email,
text, and IM.

8. Digital Literacy
 Digital literacy is the ability to know when and how to
use technology.
 Digital literacy is the ability to use search engines,
use email, and evaluate websites.
 Librarians should teach students how to use their
school email accounts, how to use keywords to
search for information needed, and how to evaluate
that information for accuracy once it is found.

9. Digital Etiquette
 Digital etiquette is the ability to use appropriate
conduct while using digital technology. In other
words, using manners.
 Librarians will need to teach students what they
should and shouldn’t do/say concerning all
aspects of digital technology (email, social
media, text messages, IM, etc.).

10. Digital Law
 Digital law deals with copyright law, privacy,
ethical issues, and piracy.
 Librarians will need to teach students how to
correctly cite their sources so they do not violate
copyright law.
 Librarians will also need to discuss privacy with
students and how putting too much information
about themselves on the Internet can result in
bad things.

11. Digital Rights &
Responsibilities
 Digital rights and responsibilities is the ability of
the user to follow certain rules when using digital
technology.
 The most important document to go with digital
rights and responsibilities is the Acceptable Use
Policy. Librarians need to be sure to cover this
with all students so that the students understand
what is acceptable and what is not.

12. Digital Health & Wellness
 Digital health and wellness is the awareness that
there are some dangers related to digital
technology.
 Librarians need to be sure to teach students
about eye safety, issues related to repetitive
movements, etc.

13. Digital Security
 Digital security is the ability to protect oneself while
using digital technology.
 The librarian will teach the students about using
passwords to protect their information and how to
vary their passwords.
 The librarian will also teach the students about
different computer viruses and how to not download
information they don’t know anything about.

14. Why Teach Digital
Citizenship?
 In short, schools need to teach digital citizenship
so that students can become “empowered to
make smart, responsible, and respectful
decisions when using media” (Orth & Chen,
2013, pp. 56-63).

15. References
 Digital Citizenship – Main Page. (n. d.). digital citizenship – main page.
Retrieved July 16, 2014 from
http://www.nisd.net/digitalcitizen/Main_Page.html
 Orth, D., and Chen, E. The strategy for digital citizenship. Independent
School, 56-63.
 Ribble, M. (2014). Digital Citizenship. digital citizenship. Retrieved July
15, 2014, from http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/Home_Page.html
 Zhang, X. (2012, January 11). Be a digital citizen. Youtube. Retrieved
July 15, 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdEXijFXfD8