What is Digital Etiquette?
Digital etiquette or netiquette as it is sometimes called, is a basic set of rules you should follow in order to make the internet better for others, and better for you. It's just as important to treat people with courtesy and respect online as it is in real life (Digital Citizenship). Digital Etiquette are the same as the respect you give to peers and teachers in a face to face interaction, just in the form of technology.
So what's the BIG problem?
In a recent survey collected from 120 high school juniors, 80% of them answered questions that showed their understanding of Ditigal Etitquette was lacking. Their interactions with people via technology was vastly different from their interactions with people in face to face situations. Additionally, the survey showed that everyone of those students either has been affected by cyber bullying or took part in it. So the BIG problem is that students not only act inappropriately while using technology, but there is also a major issue with cyber bullying.
The Big Problem: Cyber Bullying
We all know what bullying is and everyone has come into contact with it one way or another. Now, bullying has transformed from wedgies and swirlies to technological attacks that not only affect people physically, but also mentally. Stopcyberbullying.com explains that cyber bullying "is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones." Being that technology is constantly connected to students' lives, cyber bullying can be a non-stop problem constantly affecting students.
Examples of Cyber Bullying:
Examples of Cyber Bullying:
Cyber Bullying Prevention
Cyber bullying stops when YOU decide to stand up against it. The following list is ways to help prevent cyber bullying:
-Refuse to pass along cyber bullying messages
-Tell frieds to stop cyber bullying
-Block communication with cyber bullies
-Speaking with other students, as well as teachers and administrators, to develop rules against cyber bullying
-Raise awareness of the cyber bully problem in your community
-Refuse to pass along cyber bullying messages
-Tell frieds to stop cyber bullying
-Block communication with cyber bullies
-Speaking with other students, as well as teachers and administrators, to develop rules against cyber bullying
-Raise awareness of the cyber bully problem in your community
How are WE going to prevent it?
WE are going to prevent this by making everyone aware. In our school we will follow an Acceptable Use Policy that clearily explains the "Do's and Don'ts" of using technology. We promote safe technological usage for everyone that promotes equality for all students. The following is a list of the "Do's and Don'ts" for using technology:
Do...Use technology for academic purposes
Access systems using only your authorized usernames/passwords Give credit to all sources used Use only secure and protected sources Take responsibility for technology usage Report inappropriate usage of technology Respect other users and their work |
Don't...Harass, insult, or attack others
Intentionally damage computers, software, sytstems, or networks Reveal personal information Send or display offensive messages or pictures Use obscene or profane language Violate copyright laws Use the network for illegal or commercial purposes use another's username and password Trespass in another's folder, work, or files |
What if I break the rules?
Students that use technology inappropriately and partake in cyber bullying activities will be dealt with accordiningly. Cyber bullying is a major ofense and will be taken very seriously. Inappropriate usage of technology can lead to suspension, or even, expulsion. SO DON'T DO IT!!!
Christiana High School AUP Pamphlet:
aup_pamphlet.docx | |
File Size: | 739 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Resources:
Check out the following resources to learn more about preventing cyberbullying:
- www.ncpc.org provides information about stopping cyberbullying before it starts.
- Stop Cyberbullying Before It Starts (PDF) provides useful information for parents.
- Cyberbullying.us provides cyberbullying research, stories, cases, downloads, fact sheets, tips and strategies, news headlines, a blog, and a number of other helpful resources on their comprehensive public service website.
- www.stopcyberbullying.org has a fun quiz to rate your online behavior, information about why some people cyberbully, and how to stop yourself from cyberbullying.
- www.wiredsafety.com provides information about what to do if you are cyberbullied.
- www.stopbullyingnow.com has information about what you can do to stop bullying.
Cyber Bullying Campaign Video- provides a true life example of what cyber bullying can do to someone and explains why it needs to stop.
Digital Citizenship by Justin Comegys is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.