Technoethics and Digital Democracy for Future Citizens

Abstract

In a digital democracy, education should help foster the development of ethically, socially, and ecologically responsible citizens capable of living autonomously and harmoniously within a networked society. Unfortunately, contemporary digital technology, communication media and education tend to give rise to conformity, individual satisfaction, and short-term goal seeking. Overcoming current obstacles requires modifying current values and strategies to better align digital technology use with democratic ideals and the capacity for harmonious long-term survival. This paper presents a technoethical systems perspective to help disentangle core threats to digital democracy and to highlight selected educational and communication tools needed to leverage future citizens within a digital democracy.