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, 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, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Democracy (Part 3): Why Do We Have Laws?

This lesson forms the final part of a three-part unit on democracy.  Pupils learn about democracy and the rule of law. They discover the different roles of parliament, government and…

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

Biodiversity: Using the Law to Drive Change

During this lesson, students consider what biodiversity is, why it is essential to all life on Earth and what...

More Digital Citizenship resources

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…

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

The Internet: a Power for Good

In this lesson pupils consider how the internet can be a power for good and support active citizenship. Pupils explore a range of case studies before being challenged to identify…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Sexting and the Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson explores what the law says in relation to the sending of sexually explicit images by those aged under 18. The lesson examines two scenarios of young people involved…

More Politics and Democracy resources

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

What is a Digital Citizen?

In the delivery of this resource your students will explore what is meant by the term ‘digital citizen’. They...

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

Law Makers (SmartLaw Subscription)

In this lesson students examine what the rule of law is and why we need it. They consider how and why laws are made in the UK and what the…

Lessons, Community, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Exploring Our Community

In this lesson pupils will research what is meant by the word ‘community’. Pupils will think about who lives in their area and what services and facilities there are for…

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

Certificates, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Being a Change-Maker (certificate)

Our pupil certificates are linked to 12 ethos statements, such as We Are Change-Makers. Each statement supports character development and the acquisition of key citizenship skills The values, skills and knowledge…

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Caring for our Communities

In this lesson pupils will think about the importance of caring for their community and the varied caring responsibilities which are held by members of the community. They will identify…

Assemblies, Sustainability and the Environment, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Litter: The Picnic (Assembly)

With the help of one of the Go-Givers puppets or a soft toy, this assembly highlights how the rubbish we discard can and spoil the environment and endanger wildlife. The…

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS1 (ages 5-7)

What is the Law?

Watch a read-aloud version of the book ‘What is the Law?’, in which a hedgehog called Snippet finds out about the law. The book has been separated into four chapters…

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Who Owns Your Data?

This ready-to-teach double lesson pack is aimed at students in key stages 4 and 5. During the course of...

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

Law in Wales

Did you know that the age of criminal responsibility in Wales is ten? In Scotland it is 12. In...

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

Social Media and the Law (KS3) (SmartLaw Subscription)

Students explore the law in relation to social media posts, the types of offences that people are committing (whether knowingly or not) and the consequences of committing these offences. The…

KS3 (ages 11-14)

Bar Mock Trial Competition – Support Videos

Preparing for the Bar Mock Trial Competition? Watch these video explainers, demonstrations and expert tips on key aspects of criminal trials. To access this content, register for our Bar Mock…