Digital Citizenship
Grade 4 · Technology · Study Guide
Learn what it means to be a responsible, respectful, and safe person when using the internet and digital devices.
Digital citizenship means using technology in a responsible, respectful, and safe way. Just like being a good citizen in your community means following rules and treating people kindly, being a good digital citizen means doing the same thing online.
One important part of digital citizenship is online safety. You should never share personal information — like your full name, address, phone number, or school — with strangers online. Passwords should be kept private and should be strong, using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Another important idea is digital respect. How you treat others online matters just as much as how you treat them in person. Cyberbullying — being mean or hurtful to someone using technology — is harmful and wrong. Think before you post or send a message: would you say this to someone's face?
Digital citizenship also includes understanding that information online is not always true. It is important to check sources and think critically before believing or sharing something you read online.
Finally, screen time balance matters. Too much time on devices can affect sleep and health. Good digital citizens make smart choices about how much time they spend online and what they do there.
Key terms
- Digital citizenship
- Using technology responsibly, respectfully, and safely.
- Cyberbullying
- Using technology to be mean, hurtful, or threatening toward another person.
- Personal information
- Private details about yourself, like your name, address, or phone number, that should not be shared online.
- Password
- A secret code used to protect access to an account or device; should be kept private.
- Online safety
- Protecting yourself from harm while using the internet and digital devices.
- Screen time
- The amount of time a person spends using a device with a screen, such as a phone, tablet, or computer.
Flashcards
- Digital citizenship
- Being responsible, safe, and respectful when using technology and the internet.
- Cyberbullying
- Using technology to bully or hurt someone online; it is harmful and not acceptable.
- Personal information
- Private details like your address, phone number, or full name that strangers online should never know.
- Strong password
- A password that uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to stay secure.
- Online safety
- Rules and habits that keep you safe while using the internet.
- Think before you post
- A reminder to consider whether something is kind, true, and appropriate before sharing it online.
- Screen time balance
- Managing how much time you spend on devices so it does not affect your health or sleep.
- Reliable source
- A website or author that can be trusted to provide accurate and honest information.
Questions
Which piece of personal information is safe to share in an online game chat?
- Your home address
- Your phone number
- Your favorite color
- Your school name
Show answer
Answer: Your favorite color
Your favorite color is not personal information and cannot be used to identify or locate you. The other options are personal details that should stay private.
Cyberbullying only counts if it happens on a school computer.
Show answer
Answer: False
Cyberbullying can happen on any device or platform at any time — at home, on a phone, or on social media.
Using technology in a responsible and respectful way is called digital ________.
Show answer
Answer: citizenship
Digital citizenship covers all the skills and values needed to use technology safely and responsibly.
Why is it important to have a strong password?
- So you can share it with friends easily
- To protect your account from being accessed by others
- Because short passwords do not work
- To make it easier to log in
Show answer
Answer: To protect your account from being accessed by others
A strong password protects your personal accounts so that other people cannot access your information.
Everything you read on the internet is true and reliable.
Show answer
Answer: False
Anyone can post information online, and not all of it is accurate. Good digital citizens always check their sources.
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