💻 TechnologyGrade 3Lesson 17
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Digital Citizenship: Rights and Responsibilities

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Define digital citizenship and explain why it matters
  • 2Distinguish between digital rights and digital responsibilities
  • 3Match each right or responsibility to a real-life digital example
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Mini Lesson

A digital citizen is anyone who uses technology and the internet. Just like being a good citizen in your community means following rules and treating others well, being a good digital citizen means using technology safely, kindly, and responsibly.

Digital Rights

Digital rights are things you are entitled to when you use technology. Knowing your rights helps you stay safe and feel respected online.

  • Right to privacy — your personal information should be kept safe.
  • Right to access — you should be able to use educational technology and the internet.
  • Right to be treated with respect — no one should bully or harass you online.
  • Right to accurate information — you deserve true and fair information online.
  • Right to freedom of expression — you can share your thoughts respectfully online.

Digital Responsibilities

Digital responsibilities are the things you should do to make the internet a better place for everyone.

  • Responsibility to be kind — use polite language in messages and comments.
  • Responsibility to be honest — do not spread false information or cheat online.
  • Responsibility to protect privacy — never share others' personal information.
  • Responsibility to follow rules — use apps and websites only as they are meant to be used.
  • Responsibility to report problems — tell a trusted adult if something feels wrong.
Digital Rights vs ResponsibilitiesTwo columns side by side. Left column lists digital rights in blue. Right column lists digital responsibilities in green.Rights and ResponsibilitiesMy RightsPrivacyAccessRespectAccuracyExpressionMy DutiesBe kindBe honestProtectFollow rulesReport
The Balanced Digital CitizenA scale/balance showing rights on the left and responsibilities on the right, representing the need for balance in digital citizenship.Balance Rights and DutiesRightsDutiesEqual balance makes the internet better for everyone.
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Think of every right as paired with a responsibility. If you have the right to be treated with respect, you also have the responsibility to treat others with respect.

Vocabulary
Digital citizen
Someone who uses the internet in safe, kind, and responsible wayse.g. A digital citizen helps the online world be better.
Right
Something every digital citizen is allowed to expect onlinee.g. You have the right to feel safe online.
Responsibility
Something every digital citizen should do to help otherse.g. Being kind in comments is a responsibility.
Privacy
Keeping personal information private and respecting others'e.g. Privacy means not sharing a friend's photo.
Respect
Treating others online the way you want to be treatede.g. Respect makes the internet kinder for everyone.
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← Lesson 16: Reporting Unsafe or Inappropriate Online ContentLesson 18: Respectful Communication in Messages and Comments →