<p>This article serves as the editorial for a special issue that examines the evolving concepts of digital citizenship and digital literacy. Drawing on contributions presented at the International Sociological Association’s Research Committee 34, the collection explores three core themes: the conceptualisation of digital citizenship, the relationship between digital literacy and civic engagement, and the role of social inequalities in shaping digital participation. The findings advance youth studies towards more critical, context-sensitive, and nuanced understandings of digital citizenship and literacy, by emphasising the multifaceted and dynamic nature of young people’s experiences in online environments. Contributions to this special issue promote scholarly understanding of youth digital engagement and call for inclusive, critically informed frameworks for digital citizenship education and policy.</p>