Digital citizen generally refers to a person who utilizes information technology in order to involve in different kinds of activities including society, marketing, politics, entertainment, and all others. Digital citizenship in 21st century denotes the individuals having skills and basic knowledge with good experience in accessing the internet through computers, tablets, mobile phones etc. A digital citizen is nothing but a person who is aware of his technological surroundings. A responsible digital citizen should be respectful and behave appropriately while handling the information in an online world. Digital Citizenship helps teachers, technocrats and parents to identify what students, technology users, and children must know to make use of technology in an appropriate manner.

Digital citizens are “those who use the Internet regularly and effectively”. 

Why is digital citizenship important?

Digital citizenship is considered as “the norms of appropriate and responsible technology use”. Becoming a better digital citizen in the online world involves having a genuine e-mail etiquette, preventing cyber bullying, protecting private information etc.. We often see people misusing and abusing technology in many ways as they wish. In most cases, we can’t do anything regarding this issue. This type of misconduct need to be corrected and proper technology usage etiquette needs to be established.

Here is the list of features of Digital Citizenship

1.     Digital Access

2.     Digital Commerce

3.     Digital Communication

4.     Digital Literacy

5.     Digital Etiquette

6.     Digital Law

7.     Digital Rights & Responsibilities

8.     Digital Health & Wellness

9.     Digital Security

Here are the 10 ways by which you could authenticate your digital citizenship

1. Use

Use digital technology elements for gathering information. With the varieties of digital tools and techniques available today and provided by a web and mobile app development company, people can make use of these latest elements for getting information regarding any kind of topics. Use social networks for gathering technological ideas and implementing them.

2. Engage

Engage your audience through all possible ways. You can make use of digital citizenship resources including social media sites and other digital marketing tools to make a live contact in the online world. Digital citizens stay online most of the time, so engaging in social activities do matter.

3. Respect

Dealing with your online mates is crucial. You need to respect other people’s views as well. Make sure you don’t hurt their feelings while you handle them. Be polite. In the case of any negative response, do not overreact. Be easy on things and maintain your social connections in an appropriate way.

4.  Voice

The digital world is a space for you to express your thoughts and share your views on anything and everything. To be a responsible digital citizen, you need to find the right place for you to share your opinions. You should never spam or abuse at sites, as it is treated as dishonor and misconduct.

5.  Ask

Ask good quality questions. This is how you can get relevant data to fulfill your quest for knowledge. Think about ‘what to ask’, ‘where to ask’ and ‘how to ask’.  The better is your attitude, the better response you get. Digital citizens need to ask and get asked to keep up the healthy relationship between them.

6.  Listen

You have to listen to your fellow citizens in the digital world. Get good ideas from them. Stay connected. Share some awesome piece of information you found with them and listen to what they have to say about it. Getting good feedback by listening to them makes you even a better digital citizen.

7.  Explore

Take time to find what others are doing online. Analyze them properly and accept what helps you. Be wise enough to reject what is “wrong” and pick up the one that is good and trustworthy. Explore the vast opportunities opened up by the digital world & embrace new technological abilities.

8.  Create 

Create something brand new. You can create a blog, wiki article, digital resource or journal on that comes to your mind. This helps you to speak up your mind regarding any topic. Leave a digital footprint. A digital footprint is a trail that people leave online. Make sure that your digital footprint is unique.

9.  Acquire

Acquire skills to enhance your digital strategies. You can access information from any kind of digital and non-digital sources available or taking the services of the best mobile app development company. After you thoroughly know about something, apply it in any possible way. For instance, creating infographics,  after reading about it is a good idea to work on.

10. Stand

Most importantly, stand against cyber bullying. To be an authentic digital citizen, you have to avoid all kind of cyber malpractices including hacking, phishing, spoofing, spamming etc. You should fight against the cyber security threats. All the responsible digital citizens are expected to maintain the customary protocol to impart transparent information fluency.