Digital Etiquette

Young students today sometimes know more about technology than their teachers.  That is an understatement according to my acquaintances in the school system.  Are students aware of others when they use technology?  In a sense, they are more aware than educators in that they know how to use technologies such as wikis, geotagging, podcasting, audio posting, texting, and many other digital tools.   But, with familiarity, sometimes comes an ease and lapse of good judgment.  As we teach our students, (or as they teach us), how to navigate the multitude of digital tools we must model digital etiquette.

The fact that cyberbullying has become an issue reveals that many students (and some adults) are having a hard time with the realization that their use of technology does affect and sometimes hurt others.  Recently a mother was on trial for cyberbullying a young girl who was a fellow student of her daughter.  The young victim of this bullying committed suicide.  As an educator it is hard for me to assume students understand the depth of their digital words and images, when some adults seem to have missed the message. 

Ribble and Bailey (2007) tell all digital users: “As members of a digital society, we are asked to do what is best for the larger group.  To do this, we must think about how our technology use affects others. Good digital citizens respect others and learn ways to use technology courteously and effectively. “

Ribble, M., & Bailey, G. (2007). Digital citizenship in schools. Eugene, Oregon:
     International Society for Technology in Education. (Original work published
     2007)