Youth and Digital Citizenship+ (Plus): Understanding Skills for a Digital World

93 Pages Posted: 14 Apr 2020

See all articles by Sandra Cortesi

Sandra Cortesi

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Alexa Hasse

Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University

Andres Lombana-Bermudez

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Sonia Kim

Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University

Urs Gasser

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Date Written: March 20, 2020

Abstract

Digital citizenship has become a topic of growing importance among academics and policymakers alike, at the center of debate and theorization around the skills youth need to navigate and actively participate in our digital world. On a global level, a variety of stakeholders — including government, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and academia — have adopted the term to develop and shape formal and informal learning programs that aim to help youth address the challenges and embrace the opportunities the digital environment may present. Yet, there is little consensus as to the broad areas (e.g., safety and well-being, civic and political engagement, identity exploration), and skills within them, digital citizenship should encompass. In this spotlight, Youth and Media explores the concept of digital citizenship, providing an overview of the current dialogue surrounding the term, with a focus on several key questions. Why does digital citizenship matter? Why has the concept become central in discussions about youth (ages 12-18), education, and learning in the 21st century? In a world where the online and offline are increasingly blending, to what extent should we emphasize the role of the “digital” in “digital citizenship”? To what degree do youth feel connected to the term “citizen?” How is the concept of digital citizenship similar to or different from other concepts, such as digital literacy or 21st century skills? How should we approach these concepts to more effectively foster the skills youth need to thrive in today’s society? And to what extent have we as decision-makers, academics, and educators been successful at incorporating youth voices in the development, implementation, and evaluation of digital citizenship initiatives?

Suggested Citation

Cortesi, Sandra and Hasse, Alexa and Lombana-Bermudez, Andres and Kim, Sonia and Gasser, Urs, Youth and Digital Citizenship+ (Plus): Understanding Skills for a Digital World (March 20, 2020). Berkman Klein Center Research Publication No. 2020-2, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3557518 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3557518

Sandra Cortesi (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Alexa Hasse

Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Andres Lombana-Bermudez

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

1875 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Sonia Kim

Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Urs Gasser

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

HOME PAGE: https://cyber.harvard.edu/people/ugasser

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