An Investigation into Digital Citizenship Behaviour of Generation-Z Using Mediation and Moderation Models

Abstract

This study investigated the digital citizenship of Generation Z in Bangladesh. Although digital devices have become available across the country keeping up with the rapid growth of internet use, a serious lack of digital literacy prevails among the users, particularly among the youth. Consequently, poor level of digital citizenship is seen, which entails using hate speech, cyber bullying, irresponsible social media use, and a general lack of knowledge about safe use of the Internet. The primary objective of this project was to measure their knowledge and awareness level of digital citizenship which refers to respectful online behaviour and online civic engagement. We conceptualised that four dimensions of social media competence (SMC) i.e., social media experience, effort expectancy, performance expectancy and social influence have positive influence on civic engagement and digital citizenship behaviour. We also hypothesized that civic engagement (CVEe) has positive influence on their digital citizenship behaviour (DCB). In order to examine these objectives and proposed hypotheses, we analysed survey data using mediation and moderation models which are part of structural equation modelling (SEM). Adopting a quantitative research design, the study analysed survey responses of a total of 393 students from six universities including four public and two private universities. It was found that SMC significantly influences both digital citizenship behaviour and civic engagement. Additionally, when tested using mediation model, it was found that the four dimensions of SMC have mediating effect on students’ digital citizenship behaviour through civic involvement. Lastly, while ‘gender’ of the students was considered as an independent variable, it was found that these dimensions have significant effects for both male and female groups. In contrast with majority of the research on digital citizenship done in the context of the West, this sociological investigation for empirical pieces of evidence in Bangladesh provides a non-Western account of the phenomenon. This study contributes to a developing field of research that seeks to explore the dimensions and possibilities of young users’ digital citizenship.

Social Science Review [The Dhaka University Studies, Part-D], Vol.43, No.1, June 2026, pp. 1-29.