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The Digital Turn in Human Rights Paradigms
1  Department of sociology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
Academic Editor: Daniel McCarthy

Abstract:

The rapid expansion of digital transformation has not only reshaped patterns of communication, work, and education, but has also redefined fundamental concepts such as identity, participation, and belonging. This shift has led to the emergence of “digital citizenship” as an extension of traditional citizenship within the virtual sphere. In this context, there is a growing need to develop a coherent theoretical and legal framework for digital human rights that responds to the profound changes technology has introduced into the nature of human existence and interaction. This study aims to analyze the features of a model of digital citizenship that operates across two interconnected realms, the physical and the digital, where individuals exercise their rights and responsibilities within a hybrid environment that merges material reality with cyberspace. The study advances the argument that digital citizenship cannot be reduced to the mere use of technological tools. Rather, it requires recognition of a distinct set of rights reflecting the ontological specificities of digital existence, including the right to internet access, data protection, digital identity, cybersecurity, and freedom of expression on digital platforms. While traditional human rights frameworks remain essential, they are not fully equipped to address the complexities generated by the digital sphere. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates that effective access to digital human rights is closely linked to prevailing forms of digital inequality, including disparities in technological access, digital literacy, and legal protections. These gaps hinder the realization of digital justice and pose significant challenges to the universality of human rights in the digital age, underscoring the need to rethink public policies to ensure inclusive protection across both physical and virtual domains.

Keywords: Homo Numericus , Digital revolution, Digital human rights, Digital inequalities, Digital citizenship.

 
 
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