Resource

What is a Digital Citizen?

Back in 2017, the Children’s Commissioner published the Growing Up Digital report. It noted that whilst the internet is an extraordinary force for good, it was not designed with children and young people in mind. Yet one third of all internet users are under 18, with the average 12-15 year old spending over 20 hours a week online. It is therefore vital that all young people leave school understanding what their rights and responsibilities are online.

Overview

In the delivery of this resource your students will explore what is meant by the term ‘digital citizen’. They will also examine what rights they have online and consider which individuals and organisations have responsibility for ensuring those rights are protected.

In the second half of the resource students are introduced to real-life examples of how digital technologies have been used to bring about positive change. Students are also challenged to consider how they can use technology in a positive way.

This resource is written for use with 11-14 year old students, over two-hours.

“A brilliant and much needed resource.” Citizenship Teacher, St James’s Church of England High School, Bolton.

This resource could be delivered face-to-face in the classroom or virtually via a platform such as Google Meet or Microsoft Teams. Where the resource is being delivered virtually a Word version of all the student activities has been provided in the ‘student workbook’.

Acknowledgment: 
These teaching and learning resources were developed in partnership with the global consultancy firm, FTI Consulting. We are grateful for their support in boosting young people’s awareness of our democracy, and the ways we can work together to strengthen society for everybody.
Suggested Next Steps:

More Lessons resources

Lessons, Diversity and Inclusion, KS1 (ages 5-7)

The Two Brothers

In this lesson pupils will read a tale adapted from Egyptian legend which tells of the love and care which two brothers showed for each other. In discussion, pupils will…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Who Runs the Country?

In this lesson pupils explore who runs the country and how they are elected. Pupils will learn about the important role that MPs play in representing the people who live…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is Democracy?

This resource pack is the first of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...

More Digital Citizenship resources

Digital Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Being An Online Citizen

During this lesson pupils consider their rights and responsibilities as digital citizens, focusing on how the online world can be used as a force for good. Pupils consider what skills,…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Cyberbullying (SmartLaw Subscription)

According to research by the charity Ditch the Label, 7 in 10 young people have experienced cyberbullying, 20% of whom experience it daily. Support your students to know their legal…

Classroom Toolkits, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Controversial issues: guidance for schools

Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of the world, and not always positively. Graphic images on TV and…

More Politics and Democracy resources

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

The Economy Quiz

In this short, 15 minute activity students use all they have learnt from earlier lessons to complete a quiz...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Be Your Own Councillor

Students examine ways in which a fictional town council could spend its budget. They consider the concerns of different...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

You Decide! (KS4)

This resource will allow students to critically consider what reasons and ways the government can take to support different...

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock G7 Pack

The UK hosted the G7 Summit in June 2021. Young Citizens wants to engage young people across the UK...

Student Tools, Social Action/Active Citizenship

How to Create a Sponsor Form

Decided to do a sponsored event to raise money for charity but not sure what the sponsor form should look like? Download an example form here. To access this content,…

Classroom Toolkits, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Controversial issues: guidance for schools

Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of...

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Digital Footprints

In this lesson, pupils explore what a digital footprint is. They consider what is and isn’t appropriate to share online thinking about the impact of this information both now and…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Relationships and the Law

During this lesson pupils explore the concept of marriage and civil partnerships focusing on the fact that they are a legal commitment between two people and what this means. Pupils…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Crime and its Impact (SmartLaw Subscription)

Students explore the impact of crime on those surrounding the victim and the perpetrator and consider the financial, physical and emotional ripples that crime can have on a community. Please…

More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Filter Bubbles: Tell Me What I Want To Hear

A “filter bubble” describes how algorithms limit and skew the information users see on the internet. In this lesson,...

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Local and Central Government

This resource pack is the third of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson introduces students to the concepts of their legal rights and responsibilities and explores how the law impacts their daily lives. Students explore the different ages that various laws…