Module 7: Ethical and legal Responsibilities in the use of Technology tools and Resources

Module 7: Ethical and legal Responsibilities in the use of Technology tools and Resources

Lesson 2 : Netizenship and Netiquette in Online Communities

Scrutinizing the term again, a netizen according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (26 April 2018) is an active participant in the online community of the internet . The medical dictionary refers to it as an internet citizen who uses networked resources , which can notes civic responsibility and participation .Thus netizenship in the internet in a the visual word .

As responsible netizens, we are all expected to support a healthy interaction on the internet .

A netiquette , or the rules of socially accepted behavior online have to be observed in writing on email, in texting and other communication on the web.

Below are some netiquette guidelines :

1. Protect your reputation- weather on real or in virtual world, you are the same person.

2.Respect others - Respect be gets respect . Treat everyone with respect even if you have not seen him/her in person.

3.Express yourself clearly and use emoticons- communication online is difficult because emotions are not evident during communications .

4.Remember the intellectual property - ideas online are products of intelligence of others.

5. Check spelling, grammar and punctuation- since your face cannot be seen online, you will be judged according to your post.

6. Pause before you post - take note that whatever you post becomes permanent therefore think twice or thrice before you click send.

7.Do not. Share your personal information - sharing your personal information online is like going around the streets wearing a shirt printed with youe name, birthday, address, name of parents and etc.

8. Think about who or what you are representing -as a son/daughter , you represent your family.

Each of us has a significant contribution to the kind of community we have in the virtual world. As the Association of American Medical Colleges , (2015) in (www.cyberbullying.org) says it ."we are responsible for the public face that the connected world sees ". Consequently, our individual digital reputation is shaped by our posts on social media.