A new Digital Citizens Guide produced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) aims to hels online users of all to be more confident in the digital world. ACMA identifies three principles for online engagement:
- Engage positively: exercise your rights and responsibilities as a digital citizen
- Know your online world: learn new skills and digital technologies
- Choose consciously: take charge of how you interact online.
“Today’s networked society needs confident connected citizens” said the Deputy Chairman of ACMA, Richard Bean.
“As individuals we play an increasingly important role in the digital economy, and ACMA’s Digital Citizens Guide will help all of us ‘engage positively’, ‘know our online world,’ and ‘choose consciously’ when online.”
Mr Bean said the Guide is part of the ACMA’s response to the challenges facing Australia’s increasingly networked society.
“As online communications and digital content become more embedded in the experience of citizens, I expect that strategies, such as this Guide, will be both needed and welcomed”, Mr Bean added.
The Digital Citizens Guide is also welcomed by a wide range of industry and community partners, including Google, Facebook, Telstra, Microsoft, the Commonwealth Bank, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, Yahoo!7, the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, the Internet Industry Association, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, the Family Online Safety Institute, Bravehearts, and the Centre for Internet Safety.
Mr Bean says the Guide’s message is not about being wary online, but coming up to speed with digital technologies and making informed choices.
“Our experience in the cybersafety world has confirmed that a positive approach to the use of the internet is what’s really needed.”
He said that the Guide will help Australians stay safe, and reflect positive values while participating in everyday online activities like socialising, shopping and accessing information.
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The Guide and a short video are available here.
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