What Makes a Great Global Digital Citizen?

A Code of Honor for All of Us

In an era this connected and this transformational, there will always be conflicts. It’s how we choose to work together to manage these conflicts—for the benefit of the whole rather than the one—that will make the difference for both our present and our future. This is a hallmark of someone who is conscientious, caring, and honourable—a truly great global digital citizen.

Digital citizenship has many great benefits and responsibilities. A great digital citizen can experience all the advantages of our connected world while remembering that there are crucial responsibilities to be practiced along with such privileges.

Today, we are connected in ways we never dreamed of, and the use of the digital mediums that provide these connections must now be grounded firmly in compassion, integrity, environmental awareness, and multicultural understanding. Sound like a tall order? Not really—in the end, it’s about using common sense and doing right by yourself and others. After all, we’re all living in the same world, and we’ve only got one to share.

Like a part of any established nation, the digital citizen must be aware that they share their lives online with what is now a global presence. As such, here are the characteristics that lay the foundation for the global digital citizen’s “code of honour.”

The Global Digital Citizen Must …

… Consider that they are identifiable and are creating a “digital footprint” with any online activity.

The Internet is a little like the proverbial “elephant that never forgets.” Everything we post, write, and search for on the Internet has its own ghost, kind of like staring at the sun and seeing spots before your eyes afterward. These “digital footprints” of ours are not like footprints on the beach that wash away with the next wave or rising tide. In fact, they are like footprints left to dry in wet concrete. They are a permanent reminder of our actions, inactions, and interactions. Once they’re out there, they can be very difficult—if not impossible—to erase or take back. This consideration should help us in governing all of our online activities.

… Always communicate using the appropriate language.

Don’t worry, you don’t necessarily need to learn new dialects for this one (although it’s never a bad idea!). Actually, it’s simply about making sure that any of your communications with others—both digital and non-digital—are grounded in respect, courtesy, and clarity. The old rule of construction (measure twice, cut once) also applies to communication. Always review your posts and emails before sending them, and always think before you speak.

To help you do this, remember to ask yourself these questions before you communicate something to another person using any medium:

Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?

… serve their duty to judge what is appropriate and ethical behaviour within the laws of the land.

In the digital world of blogging, texting, and social media, we are largely left to our own devices. As such, we’re able to post pretty much anything anywhere at any time. This means that our capacity for self-governing is called upon as we share our opinions and ideas with others.

It also means recognizing when someone is abusing these privileges and acting in a negative or harmful way towards others. You only need to look at the comments section of a few choice YouTube videos to see just how unethical and immoral people can be. You can choose to be someone more positive and constructive. Set your own example for greatness and decency.

… uphold their social responsibilities.

What do we mean by “social responsibilities”? Again, it goes back to governing the self. Our job is not to judge, criticize, or negate the views of others. Our job is to be the best that we ourselves can be.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean.” If you were to get sweeping, what social responsibilities do you think would become your own personal broom? Do you feel it’s about being kind and courteous to others, no matter how they act towards you? Is it about taking action and speaking out against crimes like piracy or cyberbullying? Or is it about setting an example for others in your own communications online and offline? Whatever you decide your responsibilities are, pledge to yourself to uphold them and never falter.

… always be virtuous and act with integrity in all digital and non-digital communications and interactions.

To be virtuous means to have a very high moral standard, and this is a key trait of global digital citizen. Such an individual acts with dignity and integrity at all times. It bears repeating that this applies in all digital and non-digital environments in equal measure.

These five considerations provide an excellent foundation for students to build on, and are supplementary to the 6 tenets of digital citizenship. By instilling these values within our children, we can teach them to become the kinds of citizens that will strive towards building a better tomorrow by being great global digital citizens today.