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.

Lessons KS3 (ages 11-14)

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:

Register

You can register for free to access this and other free downloadable lessons and assemblies. Once you register, you will be directed back to this resource.

More Lessons resources

View more Lessons resources
Lessons, Relationships, KS2 (ages 7-11)

What is a Citizen?

In this lesson pupils will be encouraged to think of themselves as citizens with the potential to make a positive difference in society. The lesson opens with the traditional tale…

Read more
Lessons, Relationships, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Family Life

In this lesson pupils will think about what it means to be part of a family and how they can make a positive difference in their family life. Pupils will be…

Read more
Lessons, Relationships, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Getting to Know You

In this lesson pupils will share their likes and dislikes as well as what makes them special. Activities provide lots of opportunities for pupils to learn about their classmates and…

Read more

More Digital Citizenship resources

View more Digital Citizenship resources
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...

Read more
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...

Read more
Assemblies, Social action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Raising Awareness

During this assembly pupils reflect on how social media can be an important platform for raising awareness of issues that are important to pupils through the example of Martha Payne's school…

Read more

More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources

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

Fake News: The Evolution of Media

In this lesson, students explore how media has changed since the 1900s and the impact this has had on...

Read more
Lessons, Health and Wellbeing, Social action/Active Citizenship, KS3 (ages 11-14)

The Circle of Life Award

The resources consist of six sessions – three teacher-led resources and three student-led – that are designed to empower...

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

Mock Trials Classroom Pack

Running a Mock Trial – Classroom Pack The Mock Trial Competitions are our longest-running active citizenship experiences. Since 1991,...

Read more

More resource packs

View more resource packs
Resource pack

Assemblies

Read more
Resource pack

Assessment

Read more
Resource pack

Certificates

Read more
Resource pack

Class Posters

Read more
Resource pack

Classroom Toolkits

Read more
Resource pack

Lessons

Read more
Resource pack

Other

Read more
Resource pack

Student Tools

Read more

Related content

Mock Trials

The Mock Trial Competitions are our longest-running active learning experiences. Since 1991, we’ve provided unparalleled exposure to the judicial...

Read more

Mock Trials

The Mock Trial Competitions are our longest-running active learning experiences. Since 1991, we’ve provided unparalleled exposure to the judicial...

Read more
Blog

Mock Trials provide transferable skills irrespective of career choice

Published: 23 June 2021
Read more