Digital Citizenship: A National Imperative to Protect and Reinvigorate our Democracy

The Day One Project invited myself and a colleague, Ji Soo Song, to propose a bold national policy initiative that would be worthy of the attention and support of the US President on Day One of their administration. We focused on the critical need for a greatly expanded understanding and support of digital citizenship.

To ensure that upcoming generations can positively leverage online spaces and rise above the ever-present call to division, digital citizenship—encompassing the critical competencies to discern fact from fiction, navigate relationships, and use technology to champion change—must be fostered, beginning in our schools where students already engage with technology regularly. The work to develop digital citizens and future leaders is underway in several states and districts, and there exists numerous ways that the federal government can supply further momentum—setting a national vision around digital citizenship, building the capacity of educators, and strategically investing necessary funds.