Watch out! Little mistakes you make on the web could haunt you in the future, or even now. Repetitively, careless computer users list their personal information online. This can create open doors for cyber bullies, cyber stalkers, or even people who stalk you in real life like kidnappers. Posting silly pictures can lead to getting in trouble, being teased, or having an ugly job interview in the future. These scenarios can lead to being abducted, depressed, or even committing suicide. To prevent these terrible situations the online world needs to agree to follow the DCA. Wondering what the DCA is? Read this essay to find out.
 |
| www.geekhowtos.com |
The DCA is the Digital Citizenship Agreement. Before my Dad gave me a talk on digital citizenship and cyber bullying, I use to carelessly put my personal information online. To be safe online, I learned that first users need to respect themselves. A picture of you doing something silly or inappropriate might be funny today, but might not be so funny tomorrow. Children can be teased or get a bad reputation for posting something silly online. People can even get in big trouble if they post an inappropriate picture on the web. Another important rule I was taught is to ‘protect’ yourself online. Sharing personal information, like their phone number, email, address, age, surname etc., can get people in a bad situation. There are possibilities that someone starts stalking or cyber bullying you. Someone could give a series of creepy calls and emails to an individual, or come to your house and do something bad to you - especially if you share your age.
After I learned to respect and to protect myself, I was taught to do the same for others. Respecting others is about not bullying or harassing anyone online, and not making any offensive or insulting comments to others through the internet. Some unfortunate people like Amanda Todd end up committing suicide for being constantly harassed and bullied online. Entering people's personal space online or hacking peoples accounts is another way to disrespect others online. Additionally, protecting the online community is very important too. Never forward any inappropriate content to anyone because that will end up in their inbox and then will have to deal with the consequences. Do not share any personal information about your friends because the same thing can happen to them that would happen to you if you shared any personal information online.
Respecting and protecting Intellectual property is also key in being a good digital citizen. Dragging a picture off google images onto your school project is not okay. The picture needs to be taken off of a properly copyrighted website like Creative Commons, and credit needs to be given. Do not download software for free that probably costs something. Don't download music for free either (unless its from a open free website like purple planet).
Finally, respect and protect property. Respect and protect files and data of others, and respect hardware and software. Never leave your laptop unattended, and back up your files everyday.
From respecting to protecting, I learned these useful rules during our laptop bootcamp week, and even some from my Dad. I now wisely list my information online, and never give anything personal. Now that I've learnt these rules, in the future I will have no embarrassments or even unacceptions with my job interviews, and I will always be very safe - online or not. Remember these rules and integrate them into your life, to have a stalking, bullying, and stealing free internet. Remember, don't say something online if you wouldn't say it in person.
 |
| http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/article/stalking |
