Navigating the online world: teaching the elements of digital citizenship to students

Students today are “zoomers,” growing up in a fast-paced world with technology at their fingertips. In fact, it can sometimes be hard to pry the screens away! But familiarity with technology doesn’t mean students always make the right choices online. That’s why teaching the elements of digital citizenship is crucial for them to succeed, in and out of school.

What is digital citizenship?

Good digital citizens have the skills and knowledge to use digital technologies safely and effectively. Dr. Mike Ribble groups the elements of digital citizenship into 3 categories: respect, educate, and protect. Let’s look at each of these in turn.