THE CHARACTERISTICS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT’ DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Abstract

                The objectives of this research article were to study problems and challenges of undergraduate students’ digital citizenship and study the characteristics of undergraduate students’ digital citizenship. The sample consisted of 126 university teachers, students, the Academic Affairs Department officers in Srinakharinwirot University. The current research study was conducted by means of an in - depth interview and a survey with the use of interviews and questionnaires. The statistical data analysis comprised frequency, percentage, mean. The results revealed that first, the problems of being a digital citizen lie in the lack of good judgement while being engaged in media and technology, the lack of factual analysis, and the lack of good ethics in using media and technology. Second, the characteristics of digital citizenship could be divided into five aspects. The first lies in the technological skills, which involve knowledge and skills to utilize technology, good attitudes, respect of others’ rights and freedom of expression, and respect of laws and regulations. The second aspect deals with interaction with others, which involves social responsibilities and participation in social events to benefit the community. The third aspect is developing good ethics in using digital media, which revolves around having appropriate manners while using digital media and taking morals and ethics into account. The fourth aspect deals with having good judgment in using media, which involves the ability to use, understand, and access digital data and having good judgement and discretion in using the digital media. The final aspect is essentially the skills to maintain one’s own security in the virtual world, which involves the prevention of online threats and attempts to preserve safety and personal information.