Teaching 21st Century Digital Skills to Help Users Navigate the Internet Safely and Civilly

• In Event: Lightning Talk: Harnessing Education Strategies to Safeguard Youth from Cybercrime & Online Victimization in New & Emerging Technologies

Abstract

Society was ill prepared for how quickly advancements in technology and the Internet occurred nor their ubiquity in users’ daily lives, particularly for young people. Consistent with Routine Activity Theory, users can reduce their suitability as targets through education and practice in becoming digital citizens who learn how to interact with others online safely and civilly. To do this, education programs must teach four essential 21st century digital skills to help users identify online risks, similarly to those offline. Digital citizenship skills refer to online interactions (e.g., proper etiquette, appropriate socialization, legal use of technology). Digital literacy skills focus on operational (e.g., knowing and performing technical functions, mechanics); structural (e.g., locating, selecting, and evaluating information for content, discussion, and school/work; and strategic abilities (e.g., personal and professional applications related to technology and rules for navigating cyberspace). Digital intelligence focuses on cognitive abilities that aid users in planning, thinking, enacting ideas, and making appropriate decisions online relevant to their academic/professional and personal lives. Digital safety entails understanding the role of technology on mental and physical health and well-being. Users must also learn about online risks, such as exposure to online predators, and how characteristics of the online environment (i.e., toxic disinhibition, de-individuation, anonymity, and inculpability) contribute to technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) and victimization.

Author

• Lauren R. Shapiro, John Jay College of Criminal Justice