Have you ever thought about what you do when you are on the Internet? Some of the uses we make are to search for information, express our opinion, communicate with other people, learn, do paperwork, work online, buy and sell products and services, look for and offer employment, play, entertain ourselves, become educated, etc.
Have you ever noticed that in the digital environment you do practically the same actions as in the physical world? That is why it is important to be aware that we are digital citizens when we use the Internet and that our actions have an impact on other people and the places we pass through, even if it is virtual.
Appropriate behavior when surfing the Internet can make your experience and that of others more pleasant, peaceful and safe. Being good digital citizens means being aware that behind every screen there is another person who has the same rights as you and who wants to be treated with kindness.
In addition to behaving with social responsibility, respect and intelligence, digital citizens handle technology sensibly, know how to use devices that operate various programs and applications that, without being specialists, are able to establish fluid communication in digital environments.
Therefore, digital citizens, in addition to having a civic behavior, must take into account the learning of new ways of operating digital systems and be constantly updated. In turn, attending to, preventing, combating and avoiding cybersecurity problems.
HOW TO BE GOOD DIGITAL CITIZENS
- When you are in dialogue spaces, whether forums, comment sections or social networks, keep in mind that you are interacting with real people. Therefore, speak to them as you would if you were in front of them.
- Listen to the opinions of others and express your opinion freely without disrespecting others and clearly stating your opinion, in order to get your message across to the person or persons you are addressing.
- On the Internet there are people who are commonly known as “trolls” and they are very common. They enjoy the bad atmosphere and arguments. If you encounter one, it is best not to interact with the troll because whatever your comment is, it will cause them to continue their behavior.
- Respect your privacy and that of others. Also, the material you find online is not your property, so ask permission if you are going to use someone else’s content for your own benefit.
- Do not share fake news or information that you have not confirmed how real it is. The Internet has a lot of power to spread and, if what you share is not true, you will be misinforming other people.
- There is also a need for digital citizens to be civic-minded. Denounce all acts of discrimination, whatever the type. Every human being must be recognized as an equal, and this is also true on the digital level.
- Before publishing, think carefully about what you are distributing. Keep in mind that by sharing you are losing control of dissemination and that the digital footprint exists, which is all those traces that we leave when we use the Internet. Do not post anything that could affect you or others in the future.
- Think before posting sensitive data such as your phone number, mailing address or ID and never share sensitive data of others. There are people who could take advantage of this information, which could cause serious damage.