Essential Elements of Digital Citizenship: Insights from the Literature

This paper analyzed the existing literature on digital citizenship definitions and curricula to identify the essential elements of digital citizenship that must be addressed in a digital citizenship curriculum. A modified tripartite approach was adopted for this comprehensive literature review that involved three steps woven throughout the review process: description, synthesis, and critique. Four most commonly used digital citizenship definitions, two widely implemented digital citizenship standards, and four digital citizenship curricula were included in the review. Through open coding and axial coding, the review identified six categories and 18 elements for the definition of digital citizenship. The synthesis review of the existing digital citizenship curricula found that all curricula covered some essential elements, with the Common Sense Media curriculum addressing most of them. Further research is needed to refine the list of elements necessary for today's students to become empowered digital citizens who can act safely, ethically, legally, and responsibly.