Digital+Citizenship

Knowing your Rights and Responsibilities When Communicating Onlin e [|Copyright Resources] Evaluating Web Resources
 * Digital Citizenship **

Blogs, social networking sites, and email provide a forum and means for communicating which is different from face to face communication, and may include a feeling of being somewhat removed and almost anonymous. In face to face communication we have additional cues to help us interpret what is being said. Tone of voice, facial expressions, body language and even volume help us to understand the message. In online communication, most of these extraneous cues are absent, so as the writer of the message, we have additional responsibility to carefully think about our choice of words and the tone of our messages. When communicating online you are still responsible and accountable for what you say and what you write. Never write hurtful comments. If you would not say something to someone's face, think seriously about whether it is appropriate to say it online either. As with any type of writing, think about your audience and how your choice of language and tone will affect the reader. Think about how your comment may come across to the reader and what your intentions are.

Basic Rights and Responsibilities:
 * Rights to Privacy**: **do not reveal information about yourself**. Use your **first name only** when participating in blogs, wikis, or social networking sites. Information you put out there online does not go away. Respect yourself and your identity. (Think about how your adult self might feel about what your teenage self reveals.)


 * Right to engage in respectful discourse**: Respect the opinions, ideas, and feelings of others as you would like to be respected and always communicate using a respectful tone.


 * Right to be free from harrassment or bullying**: Some people may engage in bullying or harrassment when they feel somewhat anonymous or removed. If you are bullied or harrassed in an online environment report this to your teacher or another adult. Do not harrass others or bully them or enage in hurtful dialoque.

[|Basic Rules for Online Safety for Teens] from [|www.safeteens.org]