THE ROLE OF THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE FORMATION OF CIVIC IDENTITY OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
PDF (Ukrainian)

Keywords

civic identity
digital environment
high school students
social media
digital platforms

How to Cite

[1]
D. Treitiak and H. . Sashchuk, “THE ROLE OF THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE FORMATION OF CIVIC IDENTITY OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS”, ITLT, vol. 114, no. 4, pp. 95–113, Sep. 2026, doi: 10.33407/itlt.v114i4.6785.

Abstract

The article investigates the use of digital technologies in the formation of senior secondary school students’ civic identity within the digital educational environment. The relevance of the study is determined by the growing influence of digital technologies on the civic socialization of young people, the need to foster digital citizenship, and the modernization of approaches to civic education in Ukraine. The aim of the study is to identify the specific features of the use of digital space and digital technologies in the process of civic identity formation among students in Grades 9-11, as well as to assess teachers’ readiness to integrate digital tools into the development of students’ civic competence. The empirical basis of the research consists of the results of a nationwide online survey conducted among students of general secondary education institutions and teaching staff.

The findings indicate that the majority of senior secondary school students demonstrate an interest in socio-political events, while social media platforms serve as their primary source of information. The study reveals a gap between a relatively high level of civic awareness and the actual participation of young people in digital civic initiatives, highlighting the need to strengthen the practice-oriented dimension of civic education. It has been established that the overwhelming majority of students recognize the influence of digital technologies and social media on the formation of their civic views and positions. The survey results obtained from teachers demonstrate a positive attitude toward the use of digital technologies and a willingness to integrate them into civic education. A comparative analysis of students’ and teachers’ responses revealed a high level of alignment between students’ actual digital practices and pedagogical approaches aimed at fostering civic identity.

The scientific novelty of the study lies in its comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the digital practices of Ukrainian senior secondary school students and pedagogical approaches to the formation of their civic identity, based on the results of a large-scale nationwide survey of students and teachers. The practical significance of the findings lies in their potential application to the improvement of civic education curricula, the development of digital citizenship programs, and the professional development of teaching staff.

PDF (Ukrainian)

References

[1] N. Kligler-Vilenchik and I. Literat, «Expressive citizenship: Youth, social media, and democracy» Journal of Children and Media, № 19(1), pp. 46-52, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2024.2438680.

[2] W. Zhang, Z. Chen, J.Y. Neoh and Y.-T. Chia, «Rethinking civic education in the digital era: How media, school, and youth negotiate the meaning of citizenship» International Communication Gazette, № 84(4), 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/174804852210941.

[3] A. A. Allaste and N. Waechter, «Digital Citizenship and Digital Literacy: Key Themes in Current Debates and Empirical Contributions» Journal of Applied Youth Studies, № 8(2), pp. 163-171, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43151-025-00182-1.

[4] G. Asimakopoulos, H. Antonopoulou, I. Mitropoulos and C. Halkiopoulos, «What Makes Digital Citizenship Fragile: A Review of the Social Mechanisms Underlying Democratic Participation» Societies, № 16(2), 70, 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/soc16020070.

[5] A. Harris and A. Johns, «Youth, social cohesion and digital life: From risk and resilience to a global digital citizenship approach» Journal of Sociology, № 57(2), 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783320919173.

[6] J. P. Myers, «Creating the digital citizen: Students’ co-construction of meaning for global citizenship during online discussions» Asian Education and Development Studies, № 11(4), pp. 592-605, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-09-2020-0218.

[7] J.B. Schmitt, J. Baake J. and S. Kero, «What means civic education in a digitalized world?» Frontiers in Psychology, № 15, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1257247.

[8] D. Karakatsani and V. Pliogou, «Teaching Citizenship in the 21st Century. Current Intersectionalities and Global Challenges», 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-1634-6.

[9] I.R. Christensen, H. Biseth and L. Huang, «Developing Digital Citizenship and Civic Engagement Through Social Media Use in Nordic Schools». Northern Lights on Civic and Citizenship Education. IEA Research for Education, vol 11. Springer, Cham, 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66788-7_4.

[10] M. Peart, S. Higgins, P. Gutiérrez-Esteban and S. Cubo Delgado, «Digital and socio-civic skills development and young people’s perceptions of digital citizenship in the UK» Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, № 19(3), pp. 463-475, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/17461979231170232.

[11] І. Бех, «Феномен української національної ідентичності у смислофункціональній динаміці: наукова доповідь на методологічному семінарі ‘Стратегічні орієнтири та інноваційні практики утвердження української національної ідентичності в умовах воєнного стану’, 3 квітня 2025 р.», HNAESU, вип. 7, вип. 1, с. 1–4, 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.37472/v.naes.2025.7109.

[12] О. Пометун, «Навчання історії й громадянської освіти як чинник формування національної й громадянської ідентичності учнів в умовах війни та повоєнного розвитку України» Український педагогічний журнал, № 2, с. 62-72, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.32405/2411-1317-2023-2-62-72.

[13] Ю. Ніколаєць і Л. Синявська, «Роль закладів освіти у формуванні громадянської ідентичності в сучасній Україні», Східноєвропейський історичний вісник, вип. 23, с. 181-194, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.24919/2519-058X.23.258981.

[14] I. Petrovska, «Typology of civic identity», Current Issues in Personality Psychology, № 11(2), рр. 150-161, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.5114/cipp.2022.116324.

[15] М. Гриньова, І. Іванюк і Л. Паращенко, «Громадянська парламентська просвіта в закладах освіти України. Аналітичний звіт за результатами соціологічного опитування освітян та учнів». Київ: Майстер книг, 2021. 108 с.[Електронний ресурс]. Доступно: https://osvita.rada.gov.ua/uploads/documents/31145.pdf

[16] О. Спірін, В. Олексюк, Я. Василенко, і О. Сіренко, «Модель розвитку цифрової компетентності наукових та науково-педагогічних працівників», Інформаційні технології і засоби навчання, vol. 104, no. 6, pp. 156-179, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.33407/itlt.v104i6.5889.

[17] О. Ляшенко, О. Спірін, С. Литвинова, О. Пінчук, О. Овчарук, і А. Сухіх, «Концептуальні засади цифровізації освітнього середовища закладу загальної середньої освіти», Інформаційні технології і засоби навчання, vol. 102, no. 4, pp. 1-25, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.33407/itlt.v102i4.5829.

[18] Ю. Калюжна, «Цифрова трансформація держави та цифрове громадянство: виклики та стратегії національної безпеки» Політикус: наук. журнал, № 2. с. 60-65, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-9616.2025-2.9.

[19] І. Ломачинська і І. Волинець, «Світоглядні орієнтири цифрового громадянства в умовах глобалізаційних викликів сучасності», Освітологічний дискурс, № 45, вип. 2, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.28925/2312-5829.2024.2.6.

[20] N. Alenezi and M. Alfaleh (2024) «Enhancing digital citizenship education in Saudi Arabian elementary schools: designing effective activities for curriculum integration». Frontiers in Education, № 9, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1494487.

[21] M. Choi, «A Concept Analysis of Digital Citizenship for Democratic Citizenship Education in the Internet Age» Theory and Research in Social Education, № 44(4), pp. 565-607, 2016, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2016.1210549.


REFERENCES (TRANSLATED AND TRANSLITERATED)

[1] N. Kligler-Vilenchik and I. Literat, «Expressive citizenship: Youth, social media, and democracy» Journal of Children and Media, № 19(1), pp. 46-52, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2024.2438680. (in English).

[2] W. Zhang, Z. Chen, J.Y. Neoh and Y.-T. Chia, «Rethinking civic education in the digital era: How media, school, and youth negotiate the meaning of citizenship» International Communication Gazette, № 84(4), 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/174804852210941. (in English).

[3] A. A. Allaste and N. Waechter, «Digital Citizenship and Digital Literacy: Key Themes in Current Debates and Empirical Contributions» Journal of Applied Youth Studies, № 8(2), pp. 163-171, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43151-025-00182-1. (in English).

[4] G. Asimakopoulos, H. Antonopoulou, I. Mitropoulos and C. Halkiopoulos, «What Makes Digital Citizenship Fragile: A Review of the Social Mechanisms Underlying Democratic Participation» Societies, № 16(2), 70, 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/soc16020070. (in English).

[5] A. Harris and A. Johns, «Youth, social cohesion and digital life: From risk and resilience to a global digital citizenship approach» Journal of Sociology, № 57(2), 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783320919173. (in English).

[6] J. P. Myers, «Creating the digital citizen: Students’ co-construction of meaning for global citizenship during online discussions» Asian Education and Development Studies, № 11(4), pp. 592-605, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-09-2020-0218. (in English).

[7] J.B. Schmitt, J. Baake J. and S. Kero, «What means civic education in a digitalized world?» Frontiers in Psychology, № 15, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1257247. (in English).

[8] D. Karakatsani and V. Pliogou, «Teaching Citizenship in the 21st Century. Current Intersectionalities and Global Challenges», 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-1634-6. (in English).

[9] I.R. Christensen, H. Biseth and L. Huang, «Developing Digital Citizenship and Civic Engagement Through Social Media Use in Nordic Schools». Northern Lights on Civic and Citizenship Education. IEA Research for Education, vol 11. Springer, Cham, 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66788-7_4.

[10] M. Peart, S. Higgins, P. Gutiérrez-Esteban and S. Cubo Delgado, «Digital and socio-civic skills development and young people’s perceptions of digital citizenship in the UK» Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, № 19(3), pp. 463-475, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/17461979231170232. (in English).

[11] I. Bekh, «The phenomenon of Ukrainian National Identity in meaning-functional dynamics: Scientific report at the methodological seminar ‘Strategic Guidelines and Innovative Practices for Asserting Ukrainian National Identity under Martial Law’ on April 3, 2025», HNAESU, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1–4, Apr. 2025.. https://doi.org/10.37472/v.naes.2025.7109. (in Ukrainian).

[12] O. Pometun, «Teaching History and Civic Education as a Factor in Forming the National and Civil Identity of Students in the War and Post-war Development of Ukraine» Ukrainian Educational Journal, № 2, с. 62-72, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.32405/2411-1317-2023-2-62-72 .(in Ukrainian).

[13] Y. Nikolaiets and L. Syniavska, «The role of educational institutions in civic identity formation in modern Ukraine», East European Historical Bulletin, no. 23, pp. 181–194, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.24919/2519-058X.23.258981. (in Ukrainian).

[14] I. Petrovska, «Typology of civic identity» Current Issues in Personality Psychology, № 11(2), pp. 150-161, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.5114/cipp.2022.116324. (in Ukrainian).

[15] M. Hrynova, I. Ivaniuk, and L. Parashchenko, «Civic parliamentary education in educational institutions of Ukraine. Analytical report based on the results of a sociological survey of educators and students», Kyiv: Maister knyh, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://osvita.rada.gov.ua/uploads/documents/31145.pdf (in Ukrainian).

[16] O. Spirin, V. Oleksiuk, Y. Vasylenko, and O. Sirenko, «A model for the development of digital competence of research and teaching staff», ITLT, vol. 104, no. 6, pp. 156-179, Dec. 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.33407/itlt.v104i6.5889. (in Ukrainian).

[17] O. Liashenko, O. Spirin, S. Lytvynova, O. Pinchuk, O. Ovcharuk, and A. Sukhikh, «Conceptual fundamentals for the digitalisation of the educational environment in general secondary education institutions», ITLT, vol. 102, no. 4, pp. 1–25, Sep. 2024, doi:https://doi.org/10.33407/itlt.v102i4.5829. (in Ukrainian).

[18] Yu. Kaliuzhna, «Digital transformation of the state and digital citizenship: challenges and strategies for national security» Politicus, № 2. pp. 60-65, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.24195/2414-9616.2025-2.9. (in Ukrainian).

[19] I. Lomachynska i I. Volynets, «Global Landmarks of Digital Citizenship in the Conditions of Today's Globalization Challenges» Educological Discourse, № 45 (2), 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.28925/2312-5829.2024.2.6. (in Ukrainian).

[20] N. Alenezi and M. Alfaleh (2024) «Enhancing digital citizenship education in Saudi Arabian elementary schools: designing effective activities for curriculum integration». Frontiers in Education, № 9, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1494487. (in English).

[21] M. Choi, «A Concept Analysis of Digital Citizenship for Democratic Citizenship Education in the Internet Age» Theory and Research in Social Education, № 44(4), pp. 565-607, 2016, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2016.1210549. (in English).

Creative Commons License

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

Copyright (c) 2026 Dmytro Treitiak, Hanna Sashchuk

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.