Image retrieved from: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/862753516039438340

Often times, we catch ourselves living a double life.  We are one person living our day-to-day lives and another in our digital life and I feel that many of us see these as two separate entities, however we are quite wrong.  Who we are on the internet is a direct reflection on our personal and professional lives.  Because of this, there are many similarities in our digital citizenship and our views of traditional citizenship.  

Image retrieved from: https://www.cvms.dcsd.k12.nv.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=553282&type=d&pREC_ID=1056922

The above image displays the 9 elements of Digital Citizenship and I feel that they could easily be labeled elements of traditional citizenship.  Whether on the internet or in the real world, one must use proper means of communication.  Though these means may vary based on location and context, this also applies to internet communication.  You speak differently at a job interview than you do with friends, the same as you speak differently in an email to a professor than you do on your twitter feed. Though this is just one example, it can apply to each of the 9 scenarios above.  

Image retrieved from: http://www.123ict.co.uk/teaching-digital-citizenship-education/

One of the earliest social lessons we teach to children is the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would like others to do unto you, a lesson that can be used when teaching students digital etiquette. Cyber bullying is one of the biggest challenges teachers are needing to address and I feel that it can best be eliminated with the Golden Rule.  We must emphasize to students that there is a person on the other side of the screen and the words you type can and will hurt them.  If you wouldn't say it to them in person, then you shouldn't say it to them online.  Language is also a large piece of developing productive citizenship, so we must teach students what kind of language is appropriate to use.  As I am pursuing a future in Speech Therapy I often focus on language and feel that there are many therapists that could help to further teach this language "netiquette".

Image retrieved from: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/233131718185912014/

One of the easiest ways for teachers to show students proper digital citizenship is to show it to them early.  We must introduce students at a young age that there is a way you should and should not interact online.  If students attain their first experience with the internet in an educational setting, then the educator has the opportunity to instill good practices before the child can develop poor habits.  Providing students with the opportunity to learn and experience different situations on the internet in a controlled environment will result in students ready to take on the digital world.  As we teach students to be smart and safe on the internet, they will then become an influence for their peers.  

For more information of student protection in terms of digital citizenship, please reference https://www.smore.com/jhm41  

Sources:

https://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/the-definition-of-digital-citzenship/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/233131718185912014/

http://www.123ict.co.uk/teaching-digital-citizenship-education/

https://www.cvms.dcsd.k12.nv.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=553282&type=d&pREC_ID=1056922