Promoting "Digital Well-Being and Citizenship" Among Higher Education Students

• In Event: Learning and Development Through Community Engagement and Group Learning

Abstract

Many university and college students are enrolled in online classes while pursuing their education. Although many are accustomed to virtual worlds, these online classes may present challenges such as reacting to or supporting the mental distress of classmates or oneself and understanding online responsibility versus privacy. This conceptual paper explores why it is important that higher education students understand and practice what the author calls ‘digital well-being and citizenship’. Theoretical views of mental health and digital citizenship along with a review of college and university students mental health and online use will be presented in order to understand why this type of education is needed. Finally, suggestions for promoting ‘Digital Well-being and Citizenship’ amongst higher education students will be presented.

Author

• Jennifer Laffier, University of Ontario Institute of Technology