I connected to the Internet for the first time in 1999. I was 12 back then. Social media didn’t exist, phones had antennas, and Terminator was the only AI I knew of. A lot has changed since then. Now—whether we like it or not—developing digital citizenship in EFL learners is one of our responsibilities.
“Learners with deficiencies in digital education and intercultural competence will be unable to realize their own opinions, performances, and emotions along with occurrences, concerns, and cultural variations in their private and social lives.”
This is just one reason to teach digital citizenship in EFL. Here are three more.
1. Teaching Digital Citizenship in EFL to Combat Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying, defined in academic literature as “an individual or group willfully using information and communication involving electronic technologies to facilitate deliberate and repeated harassment or threat to another individual or group,” is a pressing global issue that can have life-altering effects.
Modern language educators have a unique opportunity—not only to teach language but also to help develop responsible global citizens. We can use English instruction as a way to promote digital responsibility and ethics, helping students understand the effects of language on others, even those thousands of kilometers away.
Are Teachers Prepared for This Role?
You may wonder, “How can I teach digital citizenship to prevent cyberbullying? This wasn’t in my TEFL training!” You’re not alone in this feeling. In a study involving 174 teachers in the United States, it was revealed that “teachers feel they need more tools to be prepared to manage cyberbullying and that their professional training has not prepared them to handle issues related to it.”
While there’s a need for formal training, we can still take small but impactful steps toward teaching kindness and digital citizenship using our available resources: emotional skills and common sense.
2. Digital Citizenship in EFL, Critical Thinking, and Misinformation
If you teach young learners, you’re likely teaching Generation Z (born between 1996 and 2010) or Generation Alpha (born after 2010)—people who’ve never known a world without the Internet. Many are more proficient with digital tools than we are, with some already creating content on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Because they’re “digital natives,” we might assume that they don’t need guidance on digital citizenship. But I believe the opposite is true.
The Need for Critical Media Literacy
English is the most widely used language online, making it essential to equip students with skills to navigate this overwhelming sea of (mis)information critically.
“Many studies confirm the importance of prioritizing media literacy in primary, secondary, and higher education curricula.”
By teaching critical media literacy in EFL, we empower students to make informed choices and engage meaningfully in global conversations.
3. Digital Citizenship in EFL and Learner Autonomy
Today, students have endless free digital learning resources at their fingertips. From video lessons and grammar quizzes to AI tutors, the abundance of resources can be overwhelming.
Encouraging Autonomous Learning
As EFL teachers, we can guide students in becoming responsible, independent learners. Here are three ways to do so:
- Introduce Useful Learning Resources: Show students where to find reliable materials tailored to their interests.
- Teach Critical Evaluation: Support students in evaluating resources for credibility and relevance.
- Foster Independent Thinking: Encourage students to reflect critically and develop their own informed opinions.
One thing this shouldn’t involve? Another lecture on the past perfect continuous.
An Important Final Consideration on ESL Citizenship Education
In Italy, where I live, most students have smartphones and high-speed Internet access. But in many parts of the world, students and teachers struggle to connect to online resources, potentially creating a digital divide.
Bridging the Digital Divide
The question is: How can we ensure that ESL citizenship education is accessible to all learners, regardless of their circumstances? Bridging this divide will be crucial as we continue to shape a responsible, globally connected generation.
