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Exploring digital citizenship in Boston

With the Office of Returning Citizens' Employment and Resource Fair coming up on October 24, we decided to put together a quick collection of digital resources relevant to navigating everyday life.

Digital citizenship describes the ability to use technology to reach goals and respond to challenges in the most important areas of life. If you are like most people, the list of the most important things in your life would probably include one or more of the following:

  • the well-being of your loved ones
  • a job that allows you to support yourself and your family
  • access to quality health care
  • the education of your children, and
  • the ability to access information and services from your local government.

Each section below includes a brief overview of how technology affects different parts of your life. We also included three ways you can start becoming a digital citizen today, and an interesting technology fact. The inspiration for this post came from Connect.DC Guide to Digital Citizenship.


Civic Engagement

Access to the Internet helps you communicate with your elected officials and talk about issues impacting your communities.

Three Things You Can Do with Internet Access
Did You Know?

About 30 percent of highly politically engaged social media users say social media helps people get involved with issues that matter to them.


Education

Access to the Internet helps make learning a lifelong process for adults and children.

Three Things You Can Do with Internet Access:
Did You Know? 

More than 80 percent of U.S. adults with smartphones and home broadband service have done some sort of personal learning in the past 12 months. 


Emergency Preparedness

Access to the Internet can help keep you and your family safe in the event of emergencies.

Three Things You Can Do with Internet Access
  • Sign up for AlertBoston to receive emergency alerts.
  • Sign up for public safety alerts, create an emergency plan, and create an emergency kit for your household with the City of Boston’s Guide to Dealing with Natural Disasters
  • Create a Smart911 safety profile with important medical information.
Did You Know?

The City of Boston offers detailed information and resources about how to prepare for winter in Boston.


Employment 

Access to the Internet can help you improve your skills and find your next job.

Three Things You Can Do with Internet Access
Did You Know? 

A majority of U.S. adults (54 percent) have gone online to look for a job and 45 percent have applied for jobs online.


Government Services

Access to the Internet makes it easier to find and access important government services

Three Things You Can Do with Internet Access

Learn about the ways that the City of Boston can support community members in need of help with housing, food, and other basic needs.

Did You Know?

About 65 percent of U.S. adults have used the internet to find out something about government services in the past 12 months.


Health

Access to the Internet can help you access health insurance, find a healthcare provider, and track important health goals.

Three Things You Can Do with Internet Access
Did You Know? 

Looking for health or medical information is the third most popular online activity, after email and researching products before purchase. 


Housing

Access to the Internet can help you find affordable housing in Boston.

Three Things You Can Do with Internet Access
Did You Know?

Ninety-five percent of buyers use the Internet to look for homes, and 51 percent buy homes that they have found using the Internet.


Money

Access to the Internet can help you manage your money.

Three Things You Can Do with Internet Access
  • Find tax forms, tax help, and ways to save money on your taxes with the Boston Public Library Tax Forms and Tax Help Guide.
  • Increase your financial stability, build assets, and create wealth with Boston Builds Credit.
  • Create a Boston Saves account to save and plan for your child’s college or career training.
Did You Know?

Seventy-nine percent of Americans have made an online purchase of some type. Most banks allow you to deposit checks from your smartphone.


Recreation

Access to the Internet can help you and your family get involved in fun activities in your community.

Three Things You Can Do with Internet Access
Did You Know?

You can use your Boston Public Library card to check out museum passes to places like the Boston Children’s Museum, the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Dreamland Wax Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and more.


Small Business 

Access to the Internet can help you start a new business or grow the one you already have.

Three Things You Can Do with Internet Access
Did You Know?

Twelve percent of U.S. adults have paid for in-store purchases by swiping or scanning their cellphones at the register.


Transportation

Access to the Internet can help you save time and energy, regardless of where you’re going or how you get there.

Three Things You Can Do with Access to the Internet
Did You Know? 

A number of apps provide MBTA service, schedule, and trip planning information in multiple languages. TransitApp is available in Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese.

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