Citizenship in the Digital Age: Implications and Consequences for Civic Education, Politics and Participation

Abstract

Citizenship has traditionally been defined by membership of geopolitical entities such as nation states, and with rights and responsibilities as the common denominator. However, modern technologies demand a broader understanding of citizenship as they have impacted societies around the globe in fundamental ways. For example, digital technologies have the potential to empower members of communities (e.g., gathering political information from various sources, forming political groups, mobilizing citizens). Yet at the same time, access to these technologies is not equal and new threats to social inclusion and democratic participation have been identified (e.g., digital divides, misinformation, echo chambers). It is therefore unsurprising that the notion of “digital citizenship” has burgeoned in recent years, often referring to aspects such as online civic engagement or media literacy. However, the term “digital citizenship” requires precision, and the implications for different areas of society (e.g., for political decision-making processes, the links between online and offline civic action, social cohesion, or civic education), are still to be understood. This panel aims to bring together researchers interested in any aspect of citizenship in the digital age. The papers presented in this panel focus on the meaning of digital citizenship and social and educational implications. Questions examined include: - How is digital citizenship conceptualized? - What are the potentials and challenges of digitization for democratic institutions and civic education? How can these potentials be strengthened, and the challenges be addressed? - Which skills do digital citizens need? How can these skills be fostered? - What is the role of education and socialization processes in the development of citizenship in the digital age?

Title	Details
Digital Citizenship Education – Interdisciplinary Citizenship Education for the Digital Age	View Paper Details
Tensions Between Empowering/Empowered Digital Citizens and the (Digital) Citizenship Curriculum	View Paper Details
Teachers’ Perspectives on Digital Citizenship Education and Their Practices: A Comparative Analysis of Teachers in Germany and Hong Kong	View Paper Details
A Pilot Study on Implementing Digital Citizenship Education in Hong Kong Secondary Schools	View Paper Details
Digital Game-based Learning in Civic Education – The Chancellor Simulator	View Paper Details