1. Digital access and divide
Digital Citizenship
Keeping up with the Digital World
Digital access and divide
By IVRose

2. What is digital citizenship ?
Digital citizenship can be defined as the standards of appropriate, responsible behaviour in terms of technology. (Ribble.2011).

3. We, as the youth often chat, record videos and take pictures then post online, in some cases we have no idea of what impression we make to the digital world and how other people are affected, hence as the citizens of the digital world we need to be conscious. The following are the elements of digital citizenship, which are according to Ribble (IIE Manual.

4. What are the core elements of digital citizenship?

5. Refers to full electronic participation in society thus everyone should have equal access to technology.
In the information age, we all need to have access to technology by adapting to changes that take place in the digital world. The benefits include namely improved communication and convenience in education. Digital technology promotes innovation and it is important to take precautions when participating in technology.

6. It refers to the activity of buying and selling goods and services through digital channels.
It can also include the entire process of developing, marketing services, selling and ultimately paying for products. Digital commerce is like an online market that people use to buy and sell goods and services, however there are issues surrounding such actions. Like for instance the availability of the goods/services and amount of the goods/services may create conflict with the laws of some countries such as illegal downloading, hence users need to be effective customers.

7. It refers to any message passed through digital devices.
These include instant messaging, and many other communication system you can use to communicate through technology. This is how society is using electronic devices and how they use them to communicate between each other. As digital communication continues to grow, one should not forget to communicate with people in person (face-face), or else technology is a poor replacement. By utilizing digital channels of communication it enhances communication, however one should not lose their ability to communicate physically.

8. It refers to the process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology.
A digitally literate person possess the variety of skills such as technical and cognitive skills that are required to find, understand, evaluate, create and communicate digital information in a wide variety of formats. Therefore new technologies are finding their way into the work place and it may also be used in schools.

9. It refers to the standards of conduct expected by other digital technology users or is the electronic standards of conduct produced.
It is about people who should learn how to become responsible digital citizens through appropriate conduct and being respectful to their online peers and it is also about establishing policies that prevent inappropriate conduct.

10. IT REFERS TO legal rights and restrictions governing technology use
IT REFERS TO legal rights and restrictions governing technology use. It also means electronic responsibility for actions and deeds, either ethical or unethical.
As technology has advanced, legislation expands to ever evolving rules and regulations. These are laws in which citizens should abide to and it must apply to everyone who works or play online. Digital laws relates to crimes of stealing or causing damage to other people’s work, identity or digital property (digital piracy or plagiarism).

11. It refers to the right and freedom to use all types of digital technology in acceptable and appropriate manner.
Just as the basic rights that are govern in a country are important, the basic digital rights are also as important as the basic rights. The basic digital rights should be addressed, discussed and understood in the digital world. For example the right of privacy and freedom of speech. Technology is to be used in an appropriate manner.

12. It refers to the branch of digital citizenship that focuses on using technology safely and appropriately.
It focuses on the aspects of physical and psycho-social well being in the technological world. Safe ergonomic practices and eye safe are physical concerns that should be addressed. Beyond the physical issues there are those of the psychological issues such as internet addiction.

13. It refers the protection of your digital identity –the network or internet equivalent of your physical identity.
Digital security includes the tools you use to secure your identity, assets and technology in the digital world. We need to have virus protection, backups of data, and surge control of equipment. It is important to protect information and to be aware of precautions such as your identity.

14. The Five Fluencies of Digital Citizenship
Solution fluency
Creativity fluency
Collaboration fluency
Media fluency
Information fluency

15. Solution fluency
According to kinder21 it can be defined as “the ability to think creatively to solve problems in real time by using a process to evaluate a problem and come up with a sensible outcomes or solutions”. (Kinder ) .

16. Creativity fluency
According to Gurr it is defined as” the process by which artistic proficiency adds meaning through design art and storytelling. It is about using innovative design to add value to the function of a product through its form”. (T, Gurr.2012) .

17. Collaboration fluency
Refers to an aspect of a team working proficiency, which has reached the unconscious ability to work cooperatively with virtual and real partners in an online environment to solve problems and create original products. (Ibid).

18. Media fluency
Refers to the association between interpretation (listening) of media and communication (leverage), which is about two components, input and output. (IIE Manual) .

19. Information fluency
It refers to the ability to unconsciously and instinctively interpret information in all forms and formats in order to extract the essential knowledge authenticate it and perceive its meaning and significance. (IIE Manual) .

20. Digital Divide
Digital divide is introduced through the first element which is digital access and it has a much aspect of aspect surrounding digital divide. These following aspect are namely:
• A socio-economic divide
• A divide in infrastructure
• A divide in content
• Social capital
The primary aspect in which has a deeper meaning is social capital.

21. References Digital Citizenship module manual.2016 (IIE Manual).
Digital Citizenship. N.d .Five fluencies. [Online].Available at: [Accessed 11 September 2016].
Gurr, T Allthingslearning. [Online]. Blog at WordPress.com. Available at: [Accessed 6 September 2016].
Kinder Evolution21. [Online]. Available at: [Accessed 6 September 2016].
Ribble, M Digital Citizenship: using technology appropriately. [Online]. Available at: [Accessed 9 September 2016].

22. Done by IVRose: Jwalane Mofokeng Leandra Isaac Noko Setati
Jawa Ledwaba
Thank you