Drawing from the Key Competencies and Values in the New Zealand Curriculum and a growing body of research knowledge, Netsafe in consultation with New Zealand teachers has produced this definition of a New Zealand digital Citizen.

Digital literacy or the ability to understand and fully participate in the digital world is fundamental to digital citizenship. It is the combination of technical and social skills that enable a person to be successful and safe in the information age. Like literacy and numeracy initiatives which provide people with the skills to participate in the work force, digital literacy has become an essential skill to be a confident, connected, and actively involved life long learner.