Utilizing digital citizenship education to strengthen elementary students' civic skills: a systematic literature review

Authors

  • Arya Chandra Kirana Primary Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia Author
  • Fathurrohman Primary Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia Author
  • Wuri Wuryandani Primary Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia Author
  • David Lailelleru Primary Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia Author
  • Ai Haidar Syahmanan Primary Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia Author
  • Iftinan R Azzah S School of Education, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v15i3.819-844

Keywords:

civic skills, digital citizenship education, digital literacy, elementary school, systematic literature review

Abstract

Digital Citizenship Education (DCE) has emerged as a critical component in developing civic skills among elementary students amid rapid digital transformation. This study aims to examine how DCE is implemented across diverse educational contexts, identify technological, pedagogical, and socio-cultural challenges in its implementation, and explore effective practices that enhance students' digital literacy and civic engagement. Employing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) with bibliometric analysis guided by the PRISMA framework, this study analyses 66 articles from the Scopus database and further examines them using VOSviewer to map citation networks, international collaboration, and keyword relationships. The findings reveal a significant upward trend in DCE publications since 2021, with the majority of publications originating from Asian and Western countries. DCE is operationalized through digital-based learning, inclusive multimedia approaches, and the integration of cyber wisdom. Key challenges include inadequate technological infrastructure, gaps in teacher competency, and disparities in digital access among social groups. Effective practices encompass digital privacy awareness, cross-subject collaboration, game-based learning, and systemic policy support. This study concludes that effective DCE implementation requires a holistic approach that includes comprehensive policy frameworks, enhanced teacher professional development, and a supportive educational ecosystem to equip elementary students to become ethical and responsible digital citizens.

References

Alenezi, N., & Alfaleh, M. (2024). Enhancing Digital Citizenship Education in Saudi Arabian Elementary Schools: Designing Effective Curriculum-Integration Activities. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1494487 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1494487

Agus, A. A., Rizal, A., Muhajir, M., & Jamalong, A. (2025). From awareness to action: Rethinking high school civic education for the digital generation in Indonesia. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2534156 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2534156

Almethen, A. A., & Alomair, M. A. (2024). The role of age, grade level, and subject area in determining the inclusion of digital citizenship elements in elementary school curricula: Perspectives of teachers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Heliyon, 10(14), e34597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34597 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34597

Anwar, Moh. F. N., Wijaya, E. M. S., & Woe, H. (2025). Design and development of a digital game to support civics education for fourth-grade students. Primary: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 14(6), 916–927. https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v14i6.916-927 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v14i6.916-927

Cassells, L., & Dlamini, N. N. (2019). Educating digital citizens through curricular incorporation: A South African solution to information poverty. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 15(3), 11–29. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJICTE.2019070102 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/IJICTE.2019070102

Choi, M. (2016). A concept analysis of digital citizenship for democratic citizenship education in the internet age. Theory & Research in Social Education, 44(4), 565–607. https://doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2016.1210549 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2016.1210549

Cunha, J., Silva, C., Guimarães, A., Sousa, P., Vieira, C., Lopes, D., & Rosário, P. (2021). No children should be left behind during the COVID-19 pandemic: Description, potential reach, and participants' perspectives on a project using radio and letters to promote self-regulatory competences in elementary school. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.647708 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.647708

Damayanti, T., Herpratiwi, Rohman, F., & Nurhanurawati. (2025). Cultivating critical thinking: The development and impact of PBL worksheets in elementary science learning. Primary: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 14(6), 1011–1025. https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v14i6.1011-1025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v14i6.1011-1025

Gazi, Z. A. (2016). Internalization of digital citizenship for the future of all levels of education. Education and Science, 41(186), 137–148. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2016.4533 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2016.4533

Harrison, T., Polizzi, G., McLoughlin, S., & Moller, F. (2024). Measuring cyber wisdom: Preliminary validation of a new four-component measure. Education and Information Technologies, 29(4), 4317–4336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11953-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11953-9

Huschle, L., Kindlinger, M., & Abs, H. J. (2024). Personal responsibility and beyond: Developing a comprehensive conceptualization of digital citizenship competences. Weizenbaum Journal of the Digital Society, 4(4). https://doi.org/10.34669/wi.wjds/4.4.5

Ilomäki, L., Lakkala, M., Kallunki, V., Mundy, D., Romero, M., Romeu, T., & Anastasia, G. (2023). Critical digital literacies at the school level: A systematic review. Review of Education, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3425 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3425

Iskandar, R., Maksum, A., & Marini, A. (2025a). Bridging the gap in digital citizenship literacy: Insights from young digital natives. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(12), 2025383. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025383 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025383

Iskandar, R., Maksum, A., & Marini, A. (2025b). Digital citizenship literacy in Indonesia: The role of privacy awareness and social campaigns. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 12, 101697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101697 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101697

Kumari, N., Sachdeva, M., & Verma, K. (2023). Examining the need for digital citizenship education for adolescents in the current digital landscape. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 23(11). https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i11.6228 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i11.6228

Lauricella, A. R., Herdzina, J., & Robb, M. (2020). Early childhood educators' teaching of digital citizenship competencies. Computers and Education, 158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103989 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103989

Mamlok, D., & Abowitz, K. K. (2022). 132 words: A critical examination of digital technology, education, and citizenship. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 27(4), 1237–1257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-021-09540-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-021-09540-3

Martin, F., Gezer, T., & Wang, C. (2019). Educators' perceptions of student digital citizenship practices. Computers in the Schools, 36(4), 238–254. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380569.2019.1674621 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07380569.2019.1674621

Matusevych, T., & Zadorozhna, O. (2023). Innovative approaches in citizenship education research: Conceptual perspectives and ethical cautions. Studia Warmińskie, 60, 93–103. https://doi.org/10.31648/sw.9566 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31648/sw.9566

Mirra, N., McGrew, S., Kahne, J., Garcia, A., & Tynes, B. (2022). Expanding digital citizenship education to address tough issues. Phi Delta Kappan, 103(5), 31–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/00317217221079976 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00317217221079976

Monteiro, A., Guedes Teixeira, E., Leite, C., Barros, R., Fernandes, P., & Soares, F. (2022). Education towards literacy and digital citizenship of young people: Beyond being online. Revista Conhecimento Online, 2, 89–107. https://doi.org/10.25112/rco.v2.2991 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25112/rco.v2.2991

Morgan, D. E. (2024). Zotero is a teaching tool for independent study courses, honors contracts, and undergraduate research mentoring. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, 25(3), e00132-24. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00132-24 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00132-24

Nugroho, I., Wilujeng, I., & Pujaningsih, P. (2025). Digital transformation of HOTS assessment in elementary school science learning: Technological challenges, human resource readiness, and contribution to SDGs achievement. E3S Web of Conferences, 622, 03004. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202562203004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202562203004

Nurikhsani, F. A., Wasino, W., Handoyo, E., & Sarwi, S. (2026). A hybrid systematic review and bibliometric analysis of character education in science and social studies. Primary: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 15(2), 518–539. https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v15i2.518-539 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v15i2.518-539

Öztürk, O., Kocaman, R., & Kanbach, D. K. (2024). How to design bibliometric research: An overview and a framework proposal. Review of Managerial Science, 18(11), 3333–3361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-024-00738-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-024-00738-0

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews, 10(1), 89. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01626-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31222/osf.io/v7gm2_v1

Panjaburee, P., Hwang, G.-J., Intarakamhang, U., Srisawasdi, N., & Chaipidech, P. (2024). Effects of a personalized game on students' outcomes and visual attention during digital citizenship learning. Cogent Education, 11(1), 2351275. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2351275 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2351275

Passas, I. (2024). Bibliometric analysis: The main steps. Encyclopedia, 4(2), 1014–1025. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4020065 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4020065

Pireddu, M. (2022). Educating in platform societies: From digital citizenship to public values in a connected world. Journal of E-Learning and Knowledge Society, 18(3), 58–65. https://doi.org/10.20368/1971-8829/1135822

Rana, P. (2025). Bridging ethics and code: A PBL framework for digital citizenship in CS. In Computing Education Research (Communications in Computer and Information Science, Vol. 2400, pp. 170–180). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-84391-4_14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-84391-4_14

Singh, B., Wongmahesak, K., & Kumar, S. (2025). Global digital education fostering digital citizens: A blueprint for the future and a worldwide initiative enhancing e-governance. In Public Governance Practices in the Age of AI (pp. 377–392). https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-9286-7.ch018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-9286-7.ch018

Sousa, C., Oliveira, A., Casimiro, C., Léste, J., & Yaman, H. (2024). Exploring the impact of game-based learning on young people's news literacy and digital citizenship. Media e Jornalismo, 24(45). https://doi.org/10.14195/2183-5462_45_10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14195/2183-5462_45_10

Sriwisathiyakun, K., & Dhamanitayakul, C. (2024). Empowering deaf and hard-of-hearing learners for digital citizenship: A Thai MOOC-based design thinking approach. Electronic Journal of E-Learning, 22(8), 12–23. https://doi.org/10.34190/ejel.22.8.3365 DOI: https://doi.org/10.28945/5368

Subrahmanyam, S. (2025). Developing digital citizenship skills. In Advancing Society 5.0 Through AI-Driven Curriculum Innovation (pp. 357–390). https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-1062-6.ch012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-1062-6.ch012

Tadlaoui-Brahmi, A., Çuko, K., & Alvarez, L. (2022). Digital citizenship in primary education: A systematic literature review describing how it is implemented. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2022.100348 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2022.100348

Tangül, H., & Soykan, E. (2021). Comparison of students' and teachers' opinions toward digital citizenship education. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 752059. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.752059 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.752059

Tomé, V., Lopes, P., Reis, B., & Dias, C. P. (2019a). Exercício de cidadania ativa e participação através dos média: Um projeto comunitário focado em crianças do Pré-escolar e 1o Ciclo. Comunicação e Sociedade, 36, 101–120. https://doi.org/10.17231/comsoc.36(2019).2347 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17231/comsoc.36(2019).2347

Tomé, V., Sikharulidze, M., Lobzhanidze, S., & Urchukhishvili, G. (2024b). Digital citizenship education: Perceptions on the concept, self-reported competences, and practices of Georgian school society. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 16(2), 71–84. https://doi.org/10.23860/JMLE-2024-16-2-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23860/JMLE-2024-16-2-6

Vargas-Murillo, A. R., Pari-Bedoya, I. N. M. D. L. A., & Gordillo Bedoya, S. M. (2025). Digital education strategies and tools in developing citizenship skills: A literature review based on Scopus (2014–2024). Proceedings of the 2024 8th International Conference on E-Society, E-Education and E-Technology, 50–55. https://doi.org/10.1145/3704217.3704237 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3704217.3704237

Webster, J. (2025a). Defining digital citizenship and digital citizenship education: A Delphi study. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2025.2536564 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2025.2536564

Webster, J. (2025b). Sociotechnical imaginaries in a postdigital world: Teachers' perceptions of digital citizenship education. Postdigital Science and Education, 7(3), 770–787. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42438-025-00557-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42438-025-00557-w

Westheimer, J., & Kahne, J. (2004). What kind of citizen? The politics of educating for democracy. American Educational Research Journal, 41(2), 237–269. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312041002237 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312041002237

Widyaningsih, V., Hidayat, O. S., & Adnan, E. (2023). Development of a gamification-based digital educational game for civic education on rights and obligations for grade III elementary students. Primary: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 12(5), 1227–1237. https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v12i5.10063

Wui, M. G. L., Claudio, J. S. R., Zhang, J., Reyes, C. R. R., Reyes, R. T. M., & Leviste, E. N. P. (2025). Role of classroom openness in digital literacy and online civic engagement among Filipino high school students. Journal of Applied Youth Studies, 8(2), 287–306. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43151-025-00169-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43151-025-00169-y

Zheng, Y., Zhang, J., Li, Y., Wu, X., Ding, R., Luo, X., Liu, P., & Huang, J. (2024). Effects of digital game-based learning on students' digital etiquette literacy, learning motivations, and engagement. Heliyon, 10(1), e23490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23490 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23490

Downloads

Published

2026-06-30

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (2026): June

Section

Systematic review

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Arya Chandra Kirana, Fathurrohman, Wuri Wuryandani, David Lailelleru, Ai Haidar Syahmanan, Iftinan R Azzah S (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Licence
Copyright @2017. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial used, distribution and reproduction in any medium 


Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Arya Chandra Kirana, Fathurrohman, Wuri Wuryandani, David Lailelleru, Ai Haidar Syahmanan, & Iftinan R Azzah S. (2026). Utilizing digital citizenship education to strengthen elementary students’ civic skills: a systematic literature review. Primary: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 15(3), 819-844. https://doi.org/10.33578/jpfkip.v15i3.819-844