Reflections on Ethical Issues

First Topic Chosen

General/Overview of Issues

Description of the Issue

In order to make informed decisions about ethical usage of the internet, students need to be informed about the possible issues dealing with proper usage.

Five to Ten Central Ideas

Privacy: Students personal information is sacred.

Intellectual property: Don't cheat or plagiarize

Public computers: Take extra precautions when using a computer that someone else will use.

Passwords and usernames: Don't share them, period!

On-line scams: They do exist so be on the lookout.

Copyright infringement of software: Don't copy your friend's CD or DVD!

What Students Can/Should Learn

Privacy: Students need to learn that whatever information is put on the internet can be accessed by anyone. Their full name, address, phone number and common hang outs should not be discussed. Depending on age, personal photos might also be off limits.

Intellectual Property: If they didn't create it they need permission to use it (unless otherwise stated as in Creative commons). This includes photos, music, text, clip art, designs and ideas.

Social Networking Sites: Many sites have special privacy settings. There are people who search these sites to gain access to individual's identifications. There are also people who search profiles to gain private information that they can use for negative reasons. They should always set the privacy settings to be the highest possible.

Public Computers: Computers can store usernames and passwords of the individual using them. They need to understand to always log out of any sites they logged into so that other people will not gain access to them.

Passwords and Usernames: They need to understand the extreme importance of keeping these private. Anyone with access to these private identifications can use them inappropriately. They can use them to cause small issues up to illegal activity.

On-line scams: Nearly 10 million individuals are targeted annually in on-line scams. These frauds can deal with things such as eBay auctions to "congratulations you won an X-Box" scams. Students need to be aware that they should never be contacted and asked personal information.

Copyright infringement of software: Students need to understand that if they didn't create it, they need to ask for permission before they use the product. also, they need to understand that copying anything with the intent of using or distributing is illegal. This includes copying CD's, DVD's and software. Students should be taught about how they can actually use certain works that have been licensed under the creative commons license.