These five tenets are the essence of what it means to be a great Global Digital Citizen.

This kind of responsibility means taking ownership of his/her learning. Developing a sense of accountability for lifelong learning in our students prepares them for the workplace. These are places where they must often think and act independently and take initiatives on their own. 

Encouraging this in the classroom as early as possible can help students develop high-level critical thinking and problem solving abilities to Assist them in every aspect of their lives.

We are now all global citizens. Our students must realize, among other things, that we aren’t isolated from each other anymore. A deep understanding of this new global interconnectedness can encourage them to be aware of the issues, traditions, values, and cultures of other citizens. This leads to cultivating understanding, acceptance, compassion, and humility.

Just like personal responsibility, this involves moving accountability for appropriate behavior to our students. We teach them how to govern their behavior, act in just and moral ways, and lead by good example in all online associations. In doing so, they foster independence within themselves and hopefully light the way for others to do the same. 

The Global Digital Citizens acknowledge that they share this world with many different people. These ideals apply to the people we know, but also to those we don’t know.

These include embracing the opportunity to exercise charity and goodwill for the benefit of

others.

The practice of altruistic service provides opportunities for our students to create meaningful connections to the real world. It gives them the chance to reach out to others and do things that can make a person's experiences better or easier in everyday life. This produces a sense of community and well-being for all.

This facet of Global Digital Citizenship encourages exploring how we can practice the conscientious use of Earth’s resources. Environmental stewardship encourages every student to take positive stand on personal, local, regional, national, and international actions regarding the preservation of what is essentially our “environmental community.” 

Why Do We Need to be Global Digital Citizens?

Here’s an idea from Watanabe-Crockett (2017). 

Personally, we face the daily possibility of online fraud, identity theft, and online bullying. We place our entire lives and their contents in the digital stratosphere willingly, and often without considering the consequences. The dangers of this are real. What is needed is people who will advocate and demonstrate the kind of self-governance that will keep us safe from harm both online and offline. 

Globally, even as technologically intertwined as we are, there is also a level of disconnection in our lives. We are more. Connected than ever and yet often less tuned into others than ever. Global Digital Citizens see the need that all diversity has to be recognized, honored, and cherished for present and future generations. They also see the need for harmony and connection in a world transforming as rapidly as ours. 

Digitally, our Internet is unchecked and growing wild, which is a good thing. Online information is expanding at a staggering rate. Online perils do exist, and the Global Digital Citizen sets an example to others on how to navigate them safely and securely. A good helping of common sense goes a long way in this regard. 

Altruistically, we have more means to help others. Thanks to technology. Crowdfunding and crowdsourcing help us give back to local and global communities. Social media can become a support network for those of us who are in physical, mental, and emotional need. The Global Digital Citizen can lead the way.

Environmentally, we continue to face growing threats such as climate change, resource depletion, industrial pollution, digital pollution, and more. Global Digital Citizens seek to combat the biggest challenges to our environmental health. They foster solutions that work to the benefit of the entire planet.