Approaching Digital Citizenship in My Classroom
I aim to empower students as responsible, ethical, and critical digital citizens by embedding digital citizenship across subjects rather than isolating it as a separate unit. Students must learn ethical awareness, responsibility, and develop critical thinking skills for healthy digital interactions.
Jason Ohler’s argument that ethics should be the foundation of digital decision-making and Nathan Jurgenson’s critique of the online vs. offline divide will shape my approach, ensuring that students see digital engagement as an extension of their real-world responsibilities.
Connection to Ohler & Jurgenson’s Perspectives
According to Ohler, we need to include character education in digital spaces because virtual environments have the same social impact as traditional face-to-face encounters. Digital citizenship should incorporate ethical decision-making to help students build moral principles for both online and offline environments. I would integrate his ideas by embedding ethical dilemmas into my lessons (e.g., “What would you do if you saw cyberbullying?” or “How do we handle misinformation?”).
- Nathan Jurgenson’s “The IRL Fetish”
Jurgenson disputes the belief that online interactions hold less meaningful value than those conducted in person. He illustrates how digital technology permeates every aspect of our daily life which necessitates students to learn about the genuine effects of their digital choices. I would make sure that in-person learning and digital engagement are not separate, but as an integrated tool for thinking, collaborating, and learning , like books, discussions, and hands-on activities. Instead of seeing digital spaces as “less real,” I would embed online activities like online discussions, collaborative digital projects, and research assignments alongside traditional classroom activities, which will assist the students to understand that digital environments serve as legitimate areas for educational exploration and imaginative growth as well as social networking.
By embedding digital citizenship across subjects, students will:
✅ Able to develop ethical decision-making skills in real-world digital contexts.
✅ Students need to learn critical online information analysis when working on their different subjects.
✅ Students will understand that online actions have real consequences, fostering responsible behavior.
✅ Students will learn that the internet functions as a fully integrated dimension of contemporary existence instead of viewing it separately from their other life activities
This method helps students internalize digital citizenship principles naturally, rather than memorizing rules in a disconnected lesson.
Embedding Digital Citizenship Across Subjects (Examples)
- In English and Social Studies, students can practice digital literacy by fact-checking online sources and analyzing bias in digital media.
- In Science and Math, they can discuss ethical data use and digital security to protect personal information in research.
- In collaborative projects, students will practice digital etiquette by engaging in respectful discussions and providing constructive feedback online.
Teaching the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship
I will address the nine elements of digital citizenship through activities embedded in daily learning:
| Element | Application in the Classroom |
| Digital Access | Discuss the digital divide and find ways to make sure equal access. |
| Digital Commerce | Analyze online advertising, discuss ethical consumerism, and evaluate persuasive digital marketing techniques. |
| Digital Communication | Compare tone and intent in in-person vs. online discussions, emphasizing responsible online communication. |
| Digital Literacy | Teach students to verify online sources, identify misinformation, and critically evaluate digital media. |
| Digital Etiquette | Establish classroom norms for respectful online interactions and hold students accountable for their digital behavior. |
| Digital Law | Discuss plagiarism, copyright laws, and ethical content creation in research and class assignments. |
| Digital Rights & Responsibilities | Motivate students to reflect on their digital footprint and their role in maintaining a positive online presence. |
| Digital Health & Wellness | Address screen time management, online stress, and strategies for maintaining a balance between digital and real-world life. |
| Digital Security | Teach students to recognize scams, use strong passwords, and protect their personal information. |
Great post! I love how much detail and thought you’ve put into the nine elements. I also love how you plan to teach digital citizenship across multiple subjects, and not as an isolated unit. Students will understand better if we introduce it throughout the year!