Cyber-Citizenship

media type="custom" key="11317348" Cyber-Citizenship is a new term that refers to being a good citizen of the digital world. I like the way the folks at cybercitizenship.org puts it: "Character is what you do when no one is watching." ... "Relatively new terms, "cybercitizenship", "cyber ethics", and "netiquette" refer to responsible cyber social behavior. These terms refer to what people do online when no one else is looking. As our kids go online in increasing numbers, cyber ethics is a critical lesson, especially since poor e-habits can start at an early age." http://www.cybercitizenship.org/ethics/ethics.html

They also talk about cyber-crime on their site, "many of the masterminds behind these criminal acts are mere kids." Some without even knowing they are breaking laws. They state, "Kids might not even realize that what they are doing is illegal. Still other kids might find themselves hanging out online with skilled hackers who share hacking tools with them and encourage them to do inappropriate things online." http://cybercitizenship.org/crime/crime.html

It may not be enough to just keep students safe at school with network filters and monitoring. They need to be taught morals and ethics so they can make the right choices. Cyber-ethics needs to be part of the curriculum that is covered in every classroom.


 * Technology In Education Blog**

//The following was originally published January 12, 2009 at http://rclark.edublogs.org/2009/01/12/cyber-citizenship-how-to-survive-in-a-digital-world///


 * How do you survive in a digital world?**There are many concerns with the rapid changes and growth of computer technology. Computer ethics can be easily ignored. Being a good cyber-citizen is really no different than being a good citizen of the country you live it. Having good morals and ethics will always keep you from making bad choices online as well as all other areas of your life. However, the very nature of the online environment lends itself to being more anonymous and therefore more prone to making bad choices.

Think about these areas of concern when you are planning and using the Internet and other computer resources:

Source:[]
 * Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship**
 * 1. Digital Eiquette:** //electronic standards of conduct or procedure//
 * 2. Digital Communication:** //electronic exchange of information//
 * 3. Digital Literacy:** //process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology//
 * 4. Digital Access:** //full electronic participation in society//
 * 5. Digital Commerce:** //electronic buying and selling of goods//
 * 6. Digital Law:** //electronic responsibility for actions and deeds//
 * 7. Digital Rights & Responsibilities:** //those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world//
 * 8. Digital Health & Wellness:** //physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world//
 * 9. Digital Security (self-protection):** //electronic precautions to guarantee safety//

Teaching students about computer ethics is a very important part of learning how to survive in an online world. The health, well-being, and safety of students is something that cannot be ignored.

Some of my favorite websites with information for learning and teaching about cyber-citizenship: Curriculum – [] Article – [] Internet Safety – [|http://www.cybercitizenship.org/ethics/ethics.org/ethics/ethics.html] Privacy – None of Your Business – [|http://www.tekmom.com/tencommand/index.html] Digital Access – [] E-Commerce – [] Creative Commons – [] Computer Etiquette – [] Netiquette – [] [] Email Etiquette – [] Digital Rights and Responsibilities – [] CyberSmart – [] iSafe – [] [] Safe Passage – Internet 101 – [] Internet Safety Webquest – [] Educational Games – [] Atomic Learning – Flat Classroom – [] Global Web Projects (elementary) [] []

When participating in an online environment, the bottom line is to keep the same ethics and morals you would in any aspect of your life.