Cyber Character for Netizens Cyber Character for Netizens Joe Showker Rockingham County Schools “Cyber Character” is ethical citizenship for internet computer users we call “Netizens”. Good or Bad? Now What?

CitizenshipCitizenship Your community needs you to be involved in making the internet a better place. Base your behavior on the question “How am I affecting others?” Honor those authorities who are trusted with administrating internet sources and webpages. Hacking, griefing, and other malicious behavior hurts all of us who spend time with computers and digital information. Use reliable, non-biased sources for information.

RespectRespect On the internet, understand there are many types of people with diverse backgrounds. Be polite to everyone you communicate with or write about. Flames or other hurtful communications can damage self-esteem and reputations (yours or other’s). Bullying hurts those targeted. People who do harm to others have low self-respect and damaged reputations.

CaringCaring Recognize other’s hard work for their contributions. Don’t plagiarize on the internet or steal other’s content and call it your own. Be aware of those on the internet that need help or assistence. Learn to refer people to reliable sources that can be of value to them. Caring for other people’s rights and opinions improves your self worth.

ResponsibilityResponsibility Cyber citizens must be accountable for their online actions. Be known for being truthful and using kind words, not for harming or damaging others through your actions. Just because you can do something does not mean it should be done. Taste your words before you type them…you may have to “eat them”.

TrustworthinessTrustworthiness Tell the truth when you write or publish content on the internet. Disclose only what is important to make a point or explain a concept. Guard your privacy on the internet. Protect your family by not giving away too much information about yourself, your friends, or your family. Build your reputation by not sharing other people’s private information. Hackers do not have good reputations and cannot be trusted.

FairnessFairness Dishonesty has no place on the internet. Finger pointing or critical comments will reflect upon you as an unfair or partial person. Cheating is popular in our society and on the internet…rise above it. Observe guidelines and acceptable use policies for social communities, blogs, and other interactive places. Copyright laws are for those who have legal rights to the content they’ve created. Stealing their work is not fair.

Cyber Character Being the best person you can be on the internet and working with computers helps the world we live in. The computer and the internet can give one a feeling that “no one is looking.” Your character is defined by “what you do when no one is watching you.” Being a good “cyber citizen” will make your life better, as well as those around you on the internet. “Netizens” are good citizens on the Net.