Make Digital Citizenship about the Do's, not the Don'ts

For far too long, digital citizenship has been taught in a negative way, with a list of things not to do online. But we don’t teach other important topics this way -- by telling students what not to do. We don't have an anti-illiteracy campaign — we teach people to love to read. In the same way, digital citizenship shouldn't be defined as a list of don'ts, but as a list of do's.

As we evolve our thinking around digital citizenship, we need to recognize that the skills required to thrive as digital citizens go beyond online safety. They include being respectful of people who have different viewpoints from our own, recognizing fact from fiction online, using technology to engage in civil action, balancing activities online and offline, and, of course, knowing how to be safe and create safe spaces for others.

That’s why we’re taking a bold step, and we need your help. ISTE, in partnership with like-minded organizations, is launching an international campaign to redefine digital citizenship. We're calling on students, educators, parents and community members to take action to ensure that our students have the skills they need to be effective digital citizens.


With your help we have a shot at creating a radically better future.

#DigCitCommit #DigitalCitizenship #DigCit

[Dawn-xhyu]

I like the emphasis on what to do. This is the type of language and strategy I use in my classroom.

[santanamullins]

This video is very informative in explaining the positive things to do online. I love how he changed the negative form of "don't' and made it about the things students should "do". We should look as digital citizenship the same way as we educate students daily in teaching the skills and things they need to know and not what they should not know.

[jolenejohnson]

This is a great video for teachers to think about how to teach digital citizenship. Love the dos online.

[MrsGrey]

Hi Donna, I like the change in perspective this video brings in an increasingly pessimistic world. I think this video challenges us to think outside of the normal box on how we communicate our message surrounding digital citizenship to our students. I particularly appreciate how he relates this message to a real world example of the La Canada School district and how the same message can be taught in vastly different ways.

[KaylaZellers]

I love this video. It gives you an explanation but the speaker is entertaining so you want to listen all the way through. He gives sources so that what you know what he says is true.

[DigiCitiKatie]

I appreciate this video's emphasis on the positive "dos" of digital citizenship instead of negative "don'ts." I found that emphasis on the positives portrayed digital citizenship in a better, more productive light. This video was a relevant, informative addition to a digital citizenship playlist.

[hercialVitalis]

Interesting to be a digital citizen in a digital community.

[deefinn]

Great strengths-based approach - looking for the positives helps focus on the positives

[BrittanyJacobs]

@Mr.SmithsCybersecurity I love this video! I also used this on my playlist. I love the positive outlook on how we approach this topic with students. I also like that it follow the What Does it Mean to be a (Digital) Citizen. It was a great choice for your product!

[freedomtimepress]

So I watched this 5 times to really hear and understand it. I even wrote down some notes on the important parts. I was reviewing them on my lunch break at work, a coworker jokingly asked me to read aloud and I did. Now everyone thinks I am a communist? I tried to ask management for a safe space and they it's not in the USA? Where should I go ?