MANAGEMENT OF INTERNET INFORMATION SOURCES AND SERVICES (IMC 407)

CHAPTER 10
SOCIAL MEDIA ETHICS : DIGITAL
CITIZENSHIP

Prepared by : Irni Eliana Khairuddin

Introduction
• Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps educators,
technology leaders and parents to understand what
students/children/technology users should know to use
technology appropriately.
• Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a
way to prepare students/technology users for a society full
of technology
• Too often we are seeing students as well as adults
misusing and abusing technology but not sure what to do.
The issue is more than what the users do not know but
what is considered appropriate technology usage.
Definition

“Digital citizenship is the norms of appropriate,

responsible technology use.”
Why Digital Citizenship?
• Helps prepare users for advances in technology for the
future
• Educate the proper use of technology to our future
generation
• Appropriate vs inappropriate technology use
9 Elements of Digital Citizenship
• Digital Access
• Digital Commerce
• Digital Communication
• Digital Literacy
• Digital Etiquette
• Digital Law
• Digital Rights and Responsibilities
• Digital Health and Wellness
• Digital Security
Digital Access
• Definition

“Full electronic participation in society”

Digital Access
• Technology users need to be aware that not everyone has
the same opportunities when it comes to technology.
•  Working toward equal digital rights and supporting
electronic access is the starting point of Digital Citizenship.
• Digital exclusion makes it difficult to grow as a society
increasingly using these tools.
• Helping to provide and expand access to technology should
be goal of all digital citizens.
• Users need to keep in mind that there are some that may
have limited access, so other resources may need to be
provided.  To become productive citizens, we need to be
committed to make sure that no one is denied digital access.
Digital Access
• Examples of Inappropriate Digital Access
• Schools ignore or overlook the digital needs of disenfranchised
groups (e.g., not viewed as important).
• Teachers fail to accommodate students who do not have access to
technology.

• Examples of Appropriate Digital Access

• District administrators work toward providing technology
opportunities for all students within their schools.
• Technology leaders provide technology to students for use in
school and out, such as a one-to-one laptop program
Digital Access
• Digital Access Issues
• Equitable access for all students
• Accommodations for students with special needs
• Programs for increasing access outside learning institutions
Digital Access
• Digital Access Keyword
• digital divide
• technology and the disabled
• technology access
• technology and minority groups
• digital dirt road divide
Digital Access
Digital Commerce
• Definition

“The electronic buying and selling of goods”

Digital Commerce
• Technology users need to understand that a large share of
market economy is being done electronically.
• Legitimate and legal exchanges are occurring, but the buyer
or seller needs to be aware of the issues associated with it.
• The mainstream availability of Internet purchases of toys,
clothing, cars, food, etc. has become commonplace to many
users.
• At the same time, an equal amount of goods and services
which are in conflict with the laws or morals of some countries
are surfacing (which might include activities such as illegal
downloading, pornography, and gambling).
• Users need to learn about how to be effective consumers in a
new digital economy.  
Digital Commerce
• Examples of Inappropriate Digital Commerce
• Students purchase goods online without knowing how to protect
their identity (leaving them open to identity theft).
• Students fail to realize that poor online purchasing practices lead to
poor credit ratings.

• Examples of Appropriate Digital Commerce

• Students become informed consumers so they can safely
purchase items online.
• Students spend the time to research what they
Digital Commerce
• Digital Commerce Issues
• Online buying through commercial sites, auction sites, and other
Internet locations
• Online selling through auction sites and other Internet locations
• Media subscriptions and purchases made through media
software such as iTunes
• Buying and selling “virtual merchandise” for online games
• Digital Commerce Keywords
• online shopping
• online auction policies
• technology and identity theft
• technology and credit issues
Digital Commerce
Digital Communication
• Definition

“The electronic exchange of information”

Digital Communication
• One of the significant changes within the digital revolution is a
person’s ability to communicate with other people.
• In the 19th century, forms of communication were limited. In the
21st century, communication options have exploded to offer a
wide variety of choices (e.g., e-mail, cellular phones, instant
messaging). 
• The expanding digital communication options have changed
everything because people are able to keep in constant
communication with anyone else.
• Now everyone has the opportunity to communicate and
collaborate with anyone from anywhere and anytime.
Unfortunately, many users have not been taught how to make
appropriate decisions when faced with so many different digital
communication options.
Digital Communication
• Examples of Inappropriate Digital Communication
• Students text during class time.
• Students use text messaging and email shorthand for class
assignments when asked to give complete answers.
• Students use text messaging to cheat on tests.

• Examples of Appropriate Digital Communication

• Students and teachers use digital communication devices when
they will not interrupt what is going on in the school or classroom
• Digital communication technologies such as social networking sites
are used to support student activities in the classroom, such as
sharing ideas or writings with others.
• Teachers use blogs to inform parents of classroom activities.
Digital Communication
• Digital Communication Issues
• Email
• Cell phones
• Personal video calls (Skype)
• Instant messaging
• Text messaging
• Blogs
• Wiki
• Social networking
Digital Communication
• Digital Communication Keywords
• Appropriate email use
• Texting issues
• Cell phone etiquette
• Choosing technology communication model
Digital Communication
Digital Literacy
• Definition

“The process of teaching and learning about technology

and the use of technology”
Digital Literacy
• While schools have made great progress in the area of technology
infusion, much remains to be done. A renewed focus must be made on
what technologies must be taught as well as how it should be used.
• New technologies are finding their way into the work place that are not
being used in schools (e.g., Videoconferencing, online sharing spaces
such as wikis).
• This process requires sophisticated searching and processing skills (i.e.,
information literacy). Learners must be taught how to learn in a digital
society. In other words, learners must be taught to learn anything, anytime,
anywhere. 
• Business, military, and medicine are excellent examples of how
technology is being used differently in the 21st century. As new
technologies emerge, learners need to learn how to use that technology
quickly and appropriately.
• Digital Citizenship involves educating people in a new way— these
individuals need a high degree of information literacy skills. 
Digital Literacy
• Examples of Inappropriate Digital Literacy
• Students choose alternative educational opportunities because
their school or district does not offer online classes or a distance
education program.
• Teachers do not provide resources and materials that students can
get from digital sources (e.g., blogs, websites, podcasts).

• Examples of Appropriate Digital Literacy

• Students take online courses (or mixed delivery—part face-to-face,
part online) that are designed to keep them interested in the
material.
• Teachers use digital technologies in new and innovative ways, such
as creating content for the web that can be accessed by students
away from the classroom.
Digital Literacy
• Digital Literacy Issues
• Learning the digital basics: browsers, search engines, download
engines, and email
• Evaluating online resources (determining the accuracy of content
on websites and wikis, assessing the trustworthiness and security
of online vendors, recognizing phishing attacks, and so on)
• Exploring and developing online learning modes and distance
education
Digital Literacy
• Digital Literacy Keywords
• technology education
• online education
• learning computer hardware/learning software
• understanding technology
Digital Literacy
Digital Etiquette
• Definition

“The electronic standards of conduct or procedure”

Digital Etiquette
• Technology users often see this area as one of the most
pressing problems when dealing with Digital Citizenship.
We recognize inappropriate behavior when we see it, but
before people use technology they do not learn digital
etiquette (i.e., appropriate conduct).   Many people feel
uncomfortable talking to others about their digital
etiquette.  Often rules and regulations are created or the
technology is simply banned to stop inappropriate use. It
is not enough to create rules and policy, we must teach
everyone to become responsible digital citizens in this
new society.
Digital Etiquette
• Examples of Inappropriate Digital Etiquette
• Students use cell phones to text in class on topics that are not
class-related.
• Students communicate on a social networking site without knowing
the rules or responsibilities.

• Examples of Appropriate Digital Etiquette

• Students work with their teachers to understand what information
can be shared from their cell phones or netbooks and when it is
appropriate to do so.
• When communicating in a chat room, users learn the rules of the
group before becoming involved in the conversation.
Digital Etiquette
• Digital Etiquette Issues
• Using technology in ways that minimize the negative effects on
others
• Using technology when it is contextually appropriate
• Respecting others online: not engaging in cyberbullying, flaming,
inflammatory language, and so forth
Digital Etiquette
• Digital Etiquette Keywords
• technology etiquette
• netiquette
• Acceptable Use Policies (AUP)
Digital Etiquette
Digital Law
• Definition

“The electronic responsibility for actions and deeds”

Digital Law
• Digital law deals with the ethics of technology within a
society. Unethical use manifests itself in form of theft
and/or crime. Ethical use manifests itself in the form of
abiding by the laws of society. Users need to understand
that stealing or causing damage to other people’s work,
identity, or property online is a crime. There are certain
rules of society that users need to be aware in a ethical
society. These laws apply to anyone who works or plays
online. Hacking into others information, downloading
illegal music, plagiarizing, creating destructive worms,
viruses or creating Trojan Horses, sending spam, or
stealing anyone’s identify or property is unethical.
Digital Law
• Examples of Illegal Technology Use
• Students download copyrighted music from social networking or
file-sharing sites (e.g. 4Shared).
• Students scripting (using computer code) to bypass firewalls or
other network protection.

• Examples of Legal Technology Use

• Students understand what can be downloaded without charge and
what is considered copyrighted material and should be paid for.
• Students inform an adult of others sharing nude or semi-nude
photographs
Digital Law
• Digital Law Issues
• Using file-sharing sites
• Pirating software
• Subverting Digital Rights Management (DRM) technologies
• Hacking into systems or networks
• Stealing someone’s identity
• Sexting and sharing of illicit photos
Digital Law
• Digital Law Keywords
• technology copyright laws
• Person-to-Person software (P2P)
• software piracy
Digital Law
Digital Right and Responsibilities
• Definition

“Those requirements and freedoms extended to everyone

in a digital world”
Digital Right and Responsibilities
• Just as in the American Constitution where there is a Bill
of Rights, there is a basic set of rights extended to every
digital citizen. Digital citizens have the right to privacy, free
speech, etc. Basic digital rights must be addressed,
discussed, and understood in the digital world.  With these
rights also come responsibilities as well.  Users must help
define how the technology is to be used in an appropriate
manner.  In a digital society these two areas must work
together for everyone to be productive.
Digital Right and Responsibilities
• Examples of Inappropriate Digital Rights and
Responsibilities
• Students use material from the Internet without properly citing the
source.
• Students violate their school’s AUP because they view it as unfair.

• Examples of Appropriate Digital Rights and

Responsibilities
• Students cite websites or other digital media sources when using
information for class projects.
• Educators inform students of their rights when using digital
technologies, but also instruct them on their responsibilities
Digital Right and Responsibilities
• Digital Rights and Responsibilities Issues
• Following acceptable use policies and using technology
responsibly both inside and outside school
• Using online material ethically, including citing sources and
requesting permissions
• Using technology to cheat on tests and assignments
• Reporting cyberbullies, threats, and other inappropriate use
Digital Right and Responsibilities
• Digital Rights and Responsibilities Keywords
• understanding technology rules
• helping others online
Digital Right and Responsibilities
Digital Health and Wellness
• Definition

“Physical and psychological well-being in a digital

technology world”
Digital Health and Wellness
• Eye safety, repetitive stress syndrome, and sound
ergonomic practices are issues that need to be addressed
in a new technological world. 
• Beyond the physical issues are those of the
psychological issues that are becoming more prevalent
such as Internet addiction. 
• Users need to be taught that there are inherent dangers
of technology.
• Digital Citizenship includes a culture where technology
users are taught how to protect themselves through
education and training. 
Digital Health and Wellness
• Examples of Inappropriate Digital Health and Wellness
• Administrators and teachers ignore the possible harmful physical
effects of technology on students.
• Teachers do not model proper ergonomics when using technology.

• Examples of Appropriate Digital Health and Wellness

• Technology leaders learn how to promote health and wellness with
technology.
• Teachers model digital safety in their classrooms and expect their
students to do the same.
Digital Health and Wellness
• Digital Health and Wellness Issues
• Using proper ergonomics and avoiding repetitive motion injuries
• Becoming addicted to the Internet or to video games and
withdrawing from society
Digital Health and Wellness
• Digital Health and Wellness Keywords
• technology addiction
• technology and good health
• computer ergonomics
Digital Health and Wellness
Digital Security
• Definition

“The electronic precautions to guarantee safety”

Digital Security
• In any society, there are individuals who steal, deface, or
disrupt other people.
• The same is true for the digital community. It is not
enough to trust other members in the community for our
own safety.
• In our own homes, we put locks on our doors and fire
alarms in our houses to provide some level of protection.
The same must be true for the digital security.
• We need to have virus protection, backups of data, and
surge control of our equipment.
• As responsible citizens, we must protect our information
from outside forces that might cause disruption or harm.
Digital Security
• Examples of Inappropriate Digital Security
• Teachers or students fail to maintain current software updates or
patches that protect their computers from viruses and exploitation.
• Students fail to protect their identity when using email, social
networking, or text messaging.

• Examples of Appropriate Digital Security

• Users take the time to make sure their virus protection and firewalls
are properly updated and configured to protect personal
information.
• Teachers and parents talk to students about the dangers of
providing information to anyone over the Internet.
Digital Security
• Digital Security Issues
• Protecting hardware and network security
• Protecting personal security: identity theft, phishing, online stalking
• Protecting school security: hackers, viruses
• Protecting community security: terrorist threats
Digital Security
• Digital Security Keywords
• technology protection
• spyware/adware
• data backup
• firewall
• technology disaster protection
Digital Security