Cyberbullying+&+Ethics

Common courtesy, social graces and socially acceptable behavior. All are used in a civilized society where humans interact with one another. Cyberspace is not any different. Enter Digital Etiquette. Test Your Email Etiquette Knowledge
 * __Etiquette__**

__ **Ethics** __ Digital ethics is more than simply an Acceptable Use Policy,* although that’s a great place to start. Students practicing digital ethics use media appropriately and respect their own and others' privacy and property.


 * The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics** (//Dr. Ramon C. Barquin//)
 * 1) Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
 * 2) Thou shalt not interfere with other people’s computer work.
 * 3) Thou shalt not snoop around in other people’s computer files.
 * 4) Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
 * 5) Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
 * 6) Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.
 * 7) Thou shalt not use other people’s computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.
 * 8) Thou shalt not appropriate other people’s intellectual output.
 * 9) Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.
 * 10) Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.

**__Cyberbullying__** is the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others - Bill Belsey

There are //**2**// kinds of cyberbullying, **//direct attacks//** (messages sent to your kids directly) and **//cyberbullying by proxy//** (using others to help cyberbully the victim, either with or without the accomplice's knowledge). Because cyberbullying by proxy often gets adults involved in the harassment, it is much more dangerous.

__An ounce of Prevention__...

__What can Teachers do?__

__What does the law say?__ Currently, a few states have proposed and passed cyberbullying legislation. South Dakota does not currrently have a cyberbullying law in effect, however many of the practices that fall under the cyberbullying heading are also forms of harassment for which there are laws in effect. It is important that students know that what they post online can be tracked to them. As the Educator's Guide to cyberbullying states, adults may not know the difference between cyberbullying and a joke, so it is prudent to not post anything online that may be miscontrued or interpreted as cyberbullying. It is important for students to know that these are crimes which are punishable by law.

Every computer connected to the Internet is assigned an IP address. An IP address is required to send something through the Internet in the same manner that you are required to put an address on items that you send through the mail. Tracing IP addresses allows you to preserve legal evidence in the instance that you may need it. [|How to trace an IP address]

This site was created by Melissa Goodwin of ESA2