Everyone knows how to use a computer and of course we all use some form of social networking.  You have also had years of practice being a citizen in the community in which you live.  Surely you know all there is to know about how to be a good citizen online and off.  So why should you worry about your digital citizenship?  For that matter, what does it mean to be a Digital Citizen?

What you need to know is that while you spend time wandering around cyberspace, you leave a digital footprint.  You digital footprint basically says "Hey! I have been here!"  When you walk away from that footprint, what does it say about you?  What would someone else think when they saw your mark?  Would they say you were a very nice person or a real jerk?

In today's world, we behave a certain way around other people depending on that particular group.  You wouldn't act the same way around your friends as you do around your teachers, or say, the president.  People have a tendency to behave differently online as they would in a face-to-face interaction.  You might say, type, or text, rude comments because you don't have to face that person when you say them.  But what you say is out there for the digital world to see, and more people might be looking at your words than you think!

• Think before you post.

• What goes around come around. 

• Spread heart, not hurt.

• Give and get credit.

• Make this a world you want to live in.

                  - Gorman, Michael. "Promote Good Digital Citizenship:10 Ideas for Rich Academic Student Discussion Online."Tech & Learning. Aug 2013: 43-45. Print.

• Common Sense Media - Digital Citizenship

• Digital Citizen

• Digital Citizenship

• Microsoft - Digital Citizenship