Module 7

Social, Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in the Use of Technology Tools and Resources

Intended Learning Outcomes:

 Describe the community of Learners as citizens who share and utilize digital materials
 Practice standard netiquette in sharing and utilizing shared materials among learning
communities
 Identify examples of intellectual property rights in educational setting
 Show, give and observe social, ethical, and legal responsibility in the use of technology
tools and resources

Introduction:

Educators must understand the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the
responsible use of technology in schools in their teaching practices. This will enable them to consider
and observe copyright laws related to use of images, music, video, and other digital resources in varying
formats, apply technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds,
characteristics, and abilities. This will also help teachers Identify and classify adaptive/assistive hardware
and software for students and teachers with special needs and assist in procurement and
implementation.

Module 7.1 - Digital Citizenship vs. Global Citizenship

On an August morning in 1991 the World Wide Web had officially been introduced into our lives. The
Internet we know today grows exponentially. We have become very aware of our need to understand
this continuous rapid change and forecast parameters of safety for our most vulnerable users. Today our
level of global interconnectedness is staggering, and the internet has been incorporated into many
facets of human life. We have adapted to its presence as a constant, and the idea of its absence seems
nearly unimaginable to us. The Internet has allowed us to become true global citizens, both socially and
as a workforce but we have also seen that same impact reveal how exposed we can be to scrutiny, to
manipulation, to threats to our privacy and security.

When we think about it, it makes sense to cultivate empowered individuals that are dutifully aware of
their responsibility both for and with the power of the Internet for the lasting well-being of our global
community. This is a hallmark of what we call the global digital citizen. How do we define the global
digital citizen? Who is the ethical individual in a digital world?
ADVANCE ORGANIZERS

ACTIVITY

1. Based on the given diagram, write your idea about each of the elements of digital citizenship
and global citizenship.
2. Compare and contrast digital citizenship and global citizenship.
3. Watch the video clip about “The 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship” at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYe11RNGtZU and “Tenets of Global Citizenship” at
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5rbiOGs4AOM

ANALYSIS

1. Based on the result of your activity, describe the role of global citizenship and digital citizenship
for a person to become a global digital citizen.
2. When can a community of learners be considered as global digital citizen?

ABSTRACTION/GENERALIZATION

On an August morning in 1991 the World Wide Web had officially been introduced into our lives. The
Internet we know today grows exponentially. We have become very aware of our need to understand
this continuous rapid change and forecast parameters of safety for our most vulnerable users. Today our
level of global interconnectedness is staggering, and the internet has been incorporated into many
facets of human life. We have adapted to its presence as a constant, and the idea of its absence seems
nearly unimaginable to us. The Internet has allowed us to become true global citizens, both socially and
as a workforce but we have also seen that same impact reveal how exposed we can be to scrutiny, to
manipulation, to threats to our privacy and security.

When we think about it, it makes sense to cultivate empowered individuals that are dutifully aware of
their responsibility both for and with the power of the Internet for the lasting well-being of our global
community. This is a hallmark of what we call the global digital citizen. How do we define the global
digital citizen? Who is the ethical individual in a digital world?

The Internet has allowed us to become true global citizens, both socially and as a workforce. We
can now see and track our actions on an international scale; measure our impact on the global
environment; we can gauge our social and moral differences and similarities; we can rally together to
inspire hope and provide aid for countries dealing with hardships and tragedies. This interconnectedness
allows us to see how local or individual efforts can have a global effect. Seeing the impact of the
individual in the global community has shown us the great positive potential of the Internet. But we
have also seen that same impact reveal how exposed we can be to scrutiny, to manipulation, to threats
to our privacy and security.

When we think about it, it makes sense to cultivate empowered individuals that are dutifully aware of
their responsibility both for and with the power of the Internet for the lasting well-being of our global
community. This is a hallmark of what we call the global digital citizen. How do we define the global
digital citizen? Who is the ethical individual in a digital world?

Defining the Digital Citizen

A starting point for creating a new level of ethical consciousness among our global individuals is to
define the characteristics of the global digital citizen. This type of person is conscientious, caring, and
resourceful. At the Global Digital Citizen Foundation, we see such a person as one who is characterized
by the practice of five unique principles:

1. Personal Responsibility—These concerns how one governs themselves in such matters as

finance, ethical and moral considerations, personal health and fitness, and interpersonal
relationships in both the digital and the non-digital world. It’s about how we present ourselves.
2. Global Citizenship—This generation and future ones are now global individuals. They must
strive towards an appreciation of the many values, traditions, religions, concerns, and cultures
of their fellow citizens. Global citizenship is about recognizing and respecting diversity.
3. Digital Citizenship—Digital citizenship means showing respect and responsibility for yourself, for
others, and for property. It involves setting up a proper program of digital ethics and best
practices for all. Such a program focuses on safe and respectful behavior in any online
environment.
 4. Altruistic Service—A citizenry that acts out of compassion and that recognizes an
interconnectedness to others is vital. For the global citizen, this means a concern for the well-
being of the people with whom we share our world, and a desire to serve others.
5. Environmental Stewardship—We all have only one world to live in, and our duty as global
citizens is to respect and preserve it for future generations. This is all about the demonstration
of common-sense values and of an appreciation for the beauty and majesty that is surrounding
us every day.

The Tenets of Digital Citizenship

The practice of digital citizenship has its own sub-category of rules and responsibilities for being safe and
mindful of others in online domains. We call these the six tenets of digital citizenship.

1. Respect for Yourself - This is all about being a virtuous citizen, and it begins with the identity
you create to present yourself in digital domains. How often do we see social networking names
that are suggestive and questionable, or images posted to social sites that are provocative,
revealing, or unflattering? Ask yourself, “How does my profile, online name, and image portray
me as a person or as a potential candidate for employment?”

A global digital citizen considers the potential outcomes of revealing personal details
within online public forums. While many social networking sites do have privacy options, the
basic level of access means that your most personal information could be made accessible via
applications (tools created in social networks that access your profile, etc.) or from your friends,
their friends, and associates.

2. Responsibility for Yourself - The words and images you post online are not going to be
exclusive to your intended audience. It is impossible to guarantee anonymity or privacy online.
Be aware that your posts can be used by others, and sometimes in negative ways. Social
networking sites, blogs, wikis, Twitter, and instant messaging services allow you to openly
express your ideas and opinions, but the nature of these places is to gather an audience. That
inherent swell of interest can take your posts to a larger audience very quickly. That’s the
power and pervasiveness of social networking in our digital lives, and that’s why it’s so
important to monitor our use of it with our own protection in mind.

At some point, many of us either have found or will find ourselves the targets of bullying
and online abuse. It is crucial to know that you don’t have to try and deal with it on your own.
Tell someone you trust like a friend, parent, teacher, employer, counsellor, etc. If you happen to
experience abuse or threats on a particular web site, you can also report the abuse to the site
moderator. Don’t respond to it. Record it for evidence. The Internet provides a great medium to
meet new people and develop new friendships, but it is crucial that this is done with an
awareness of the nature of the Internet itself—meaning its inherent lack of policing and
security. A person’s profile is subjective and can be masking a person’s true intent and identity.
Social media has huge potential for establishing new relationships but does have a similar
potential for risk.
3. Respect for Others - Be aware that your words and images online have power, and in many
cases are permanent once you have posted them. As responsible global digital citizens, we must
always demonstrate respect for other people. A good general rule to follow is this: If you
wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. We know how easy it is to post a thought on a
social media site, or to make and dedicate an entire blog to any subject. This makes it far too
easy for anyone to create gossip and innuendo and spread negativity if they choose.

Remind yourself to stay above the fray and encourage others to post responsibly.
Respect for others also applies to the sites we visit. Whether they are gossip, hate, racist, or
pornographic sites, we should be discerning about where we go online. By visiting these types of
sites, we inadvertently give our approval for their existence.

4. Responsibility for Others - Every social networking site, instant messaging tool, chatroom, wiki,
blog, and social media domain has a “Report Abuse” contact. Don’t be afraid to use it! We can
protect others by reporting behavior that is inappropriate, abusive, or unacceptable. Another
example that is common to us is in email. Again, think before you send and share! Don’t
forward emails that are derogatory. You can stop the chain by deleting the message instead of
passing it on.

Choosing to do nothing as a person is flamed in a threaded discussion, or attacked by a

troll in a chat room, encourages the attacker and empowers them to continue. You do not have
to passively contribute to this negativity. You can report abuse and to encourage respect and
consideration in all discussions online. Likewise, if the conversation in a chat room changes to
have suggestive overtones, you have the power to report it.

Whether you, a friend, or even a stranger is the target, you should feel like you can do
something about it. If you see someone being abused online, consider what it would feel like if
you were the recipient of such abuse.

5. Respect for Property - There is so much information out there, and there are so many amazing
materials to share. Think of the number of people who have given their precious time and
know-how to us all for free! There is also a lot of information and creativity online that is not
free. The global digital citizen shows a deep respect for all intellectual property.

6. Responsibility for Property - Software, literature, music, and movies take human creativity and
ingenuity to create. The cost to share and benefit from that creativity exists for the purpose of
supporting that industry and artist. If you do not agree with the price or the industry, there are
other ways of addressing it without breaking the law. No matter what form of copy-written
material you are taking, piracy is theft! Luckily, there is a large array of low-cost and free
versions of things you might be interested in.
 For example, Creative Commons licensing agreements have made available millions of
images, media, and books that are all accessible for free. Creative Commons is a license or
statement of use that encourages people to share. When you publish your own work, it is worth
considering using the Creative Commons license. Under this license, you can customize the level
of rights a user has to your intellectual property.

Being Global, Being Great

Being a great global digital citizen isn’t just about using your head—it’s also about using
your heart. Having a responsible and ethical citizenry is essential to healthy and peaceful life in
the world we all share. A global digital citizen enjoys the benefits of being in our connected
world, while practicing some significant responsibilities at the same time. The global digital
citizen must be aware that they share their lives online with what is now a global presence. As
such, here are some guidelines for the global digital citizen’s “code of honor.”

The Global Digital Citizen Must …

… consider that they are identifiable and are creating a “digital footprint” with any online activity.

… always communicate using the appropriate language.

… serve their duty to judge what is appropriate and ethical behavior within the laws of the land.

… choose and uphold their social responsibilities.

… always be virtuous and act with integrity in all digital and non-digital communications and
interactions.

These five considerations provide an excellent foundation for anyone to build on and are
supplementary to the six tenets of digital citizenship. By instilling these values within both ourselves as
well as demonstrating them and teaching them to our students and youth, we can build a safer online
environment and create a better future for our planet.