Digital Citizenship Through Online Media. Manifestations and Perceptions in Ecuador

The knowledge and practice of digital citizenship competences would improve coexistence and the quality of democracy, insofar as people’s opinions are communicated and agreements reached, which is also the exercise of freedom of expression mediated by digital environments and interfaces. Digital citizenship is about being a responsible and ethical citizen in the digital world, which implies the knowledge and practice of a set of skills and values that promote the safe, effective, and positive use of technology. Based on the above, it is proposed to determine how the exercise of digital citizenship is portrayed in Ecuador’s national digital media, and to identify citizens’ understanding of the concept of digital citizenship. The media research is explained by the fact that it is through the media that initiatives, programs, and projects related to digital citizenship and digital inclusion are reported. The research is descriptive, using quantitative methodology through content analysis and semi-structured interviews. The content analysis is carried out on the publications of four digital media with national coverage, through the methodology of a composite week. It is concluded that the digital citizenship approach with the greatest presence in the media in Ecuador is “digital rights”, which shows a positive assessment by the community and the media themselves to increase knowledge and critical exercise of digital competences. The experts are familiar with the definition of digital citizenship, and also point to the importance of increasing training in digital skills so that citizens can participate more and better in the management of public affairs.