ACTIVITY 10.2 - From Scrolls to Shares: How Ordinary Citizens Uphold Digital Ethics

 

After conducting interviews with four non-professional individuals—a vegetable vendor, a sikad driver, a tricycle driver, and a sari-sari store owner—I learned that while most of them are unfamiliar with the term “digital citizenship,” they still practice many of its principles in their daily online behavior.

Only the sari-sari store owner had heard of digital citizenship and was able to define it as being a responsible internet user who knows how to behave, what to post, and how to treat others online. The other three had never heard of the term, but when asked to guess, they gave thoughtful responses suggesting it had something to do with using the internet or mobile devices properly and responsibly.

All four interviewees use smartphones to connect to the internet, mostly for social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Their common online activities include watching reels or videos, chatting with friends and family, and checking messages for business or personal communication. The vegetable vendor also uses her online presence to post motivational quotes and promote her products.

In terms of posting content, they all expressed a level of caution. They avoid posting anything offensive, angry, or too personal. They tend to share positive, funny, or informative content, showing a natural sense of digital responsibility. Some even follow personal rules, like "don’t post when angry" or "always double-check before sharing."

They all admitted to witnessing negative content online—such as fake news, insults, scams, and online arguments. While some chose to ignore such content, others took steps to address it, such as warning others or advising people to calm down.

Their advice to young people using the internet was consistent: be respectful, think before posting, avoid believing everything you see online, and use social media wisely. This reflects an understanding that the digital world has real-life consequences and should be navigated carefully.

In conclusion, the interviews revealed that even without formal knowledge of digital citizenship, many individuals still act responsibly online. Their insights highlight the importance of digital awareness in all sectors of society and show that values like respect, truth, and caution are key to being good digital citizens.