Social, Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in
the Use of Technology Tools and Resources
Module Outcomes
Described the community of learners as citizens who share and utilize digital
materials
Practiced standard netiquette in sharing and utilizing shared materials among
learning communities
Identified examples of Intellectual Property Right in educational setting
Showed, given examples, and observed social, ethical, and legal responsibility in
the use of technology tools and resources
Technology has become an integral part of our lives. It has created a great impact
that whether we like it or not, we have become prone to safety issues. Our privacy can be
intruded; our social relationships can be affected. But it is not just enough that we keep
ourselves safe, we should also possess the skills on how we can act responsibly so as not
pose harm to others. Thus, this Module will walk you through this issue.
1 Digital Citizenship vs. Global Citizenship
Lesson Outcomes
Recognized the five tenets of global digital citizenship and the 9 elements of
digital citizenship
Compared and contrasted one’s role as a citizenship of a community and that of a
digital world
Shared ways on how one can observe social, ethical, and legal responsibilities in
the use of technology tools and resource
Since we are considered citizens of the community we live in, then as users of the
internet we can also call ourselves as citizens of the digital world where we live, learn and
work in an interconnected manner. Digital citizenship is an idea that all persons using the
internet have civic rights and responsibilities. It centers around safe, savvy and ethical use
of technology.
Summing up, a global citizen sees the world as a community in which all people
live and prosper together. He/she understands that his/her actions contribute to the
values of the entire planet and he/she is concerned on how he/she participates in and
contributes to the entire world. A digital citizen, on the other hand, adheres to guidelines
that govern the ethical and responsible use of technology and acts responsibly in all
relationships and interactions in the digital world.
When we mix these two together, it’s perfect recipe for the Global Digital Citizen.
A global digital citizen is a responsible, ethical citizen leveraging technology to foster
community on a global scale through connection and compassion. It is a citizen that views
the world as an interconnected community. Additionally, the digital citizen realizes that
we simultaneously share technological and human experiences regardless of culture,
status or political/religious beliefs (Watanabe-Crokett, 2017).
Five Tenets of Global Digital Citizenship
We define the best assets of the Global Digital Citizen using 5 tenets: Personal,
Responsibility, Global Citizenship, Altruistic Service, Environmental Stewardship, and
Digital Citizenship (Ribble, 2017).
Personal Responsibility
It includes demonstrating how we manage ourselves in matters such as personal
finance, ethical and moral boundaries, personal health and wellness, and relationships of
every kind, both online or offline. For the student, this kind of responsibility means taking
ownership of his/her learning. Developing a sense of accountability for lifelong learning
in our students prepares them for the workplace. These are places where they must often
think and act independently and take initiatives on their own. Encouraging this is in the
classroom as early as possible can help students develop high-level critical thinking and
problem solving abilities to assist them in every aspect of their lives.
Global Citizenship
The Global Digital Citizenship understands that technology has dissolved
boundaries between all the world’s people. We now communicate, collaborate, and
celebrate across all levels of society. We are now all global citizen. Our students must
realize, among other things, that we aren’t isolated from each other anymore. A deep
understanding of this new global interconnectedness can encourage them to be aware of
the issues, traditions, values, and cultures of other citizens. This leads to cultivating
understanding, acceptance, compassion, and humility.
Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship covers appropriate and exemplary in our online environments.
It’s about working towards making our transparent digital world safe for ourselves and
others. Just like personal responsibility, this involves moving accountability for
appropriate behavior tour students. We teach them how to govern their behavior, act in
just and moral ways, and lead by good example in all online associations. In doing so,
they foster independence within themselves and hopefully light the way for others to do
the same.
Altruistic service
Altruism defined as “having a selfless concern for the well-being of others.” The
Global Digital Citizens acknowledge that they share this world with many different people.
These ideals apply to the people we know, but also to those we don’t know. These include
embracing the opportunity to exercise charity and goodwill for the benefit of others. The
practice of altruistic service provides opportunities for our students to create meaningful
connections to the real world. It gives them the enhance to reach out to others and do
things that can make a person’s experiences better or easier in everyday life. This produces
a sense of community and well-being for all.
Environmental stewardship
This practice is all about common-sense values and an appreciation for the beauty
and majesty that surround us every day. This facet of Global Digital Citizenship
encourages exploring how we can practice the conscientious use of Earth’s resources.
Environmental stewardship encourages every student to take a positive stand on personal,
local, regional, national, and international actions regarding the preservation of what is
essentially our “environmental community”. This facet of Global Digital Citizenship
reinforces the idea that we have one world that we all live on. It’s vital that we respect it
and take steps to ensure its beauty and longevity for all future generations (Watanabe-
Crokett, 2017).
Why Do We Need to be Global Digital Citizens?
Here’s an idea from Watanabe-Crokett (2017). Personally, we face the daily
possibility of online fraud, identity theft, and online bullying. We place our entire lives and
their contents in the digital stratosphere willingly and often without considering the
consequences. The dangers of this are real. Globally, even as technologically intertwined
as we are, there is also a level of disconnection in our lives. We are more connected than
ever and yet often less tuned into the others than ever. Digitally, our internet is
unchecked and growing wild, which is a good thing. Online information is expanding a t
staggering rate. Online perils do exist, and the Global Digital Citizen set an example to
others on how to navigate them safely and securely. Altruistically, we have more means
to help others. Thanks to technology. Crowdfunding and crowdsourcing help us give back
to local and global communities. Social media can become a support network for those
of us who are in physical, mental and emotional need. The Global Digital Citizen can lead
the way. Environmentally, we continue to face growing threats such as climate change,
resource depletion, industrial pollution, digital pollution, and more. Global Digital Citizens
seek to combat the biggest challenges to our environmental health. They foster solutions
that work to the benefit of the entire planet.
Elements of Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship is now a component of digital citizenship, and is in fact one of
the facets of Global Digital Citizenship. Under digital citizenship, there are nine elements;
digital access, digital commerce, digital communication, digital literacy, digital etiquette,
digital law, digital rights and responsibilities, digital health and wellness, and digital
securities.
Digital Access
Equal digit rights and electronic access is the starting point of digital citizenship.
Digital access is supposed to be available to all in the same manner that education is
made sure by the Philippine government to be available to all citizens. Currently, on this
matter, the Republic Act 10929 was signed on July 25, 2016 requiring all public places in
the country to have free internet access. A public place in this act covers national and local
government offices, public basic education institutions, state universities and colleges and
TESDA technology institutions, public parks and barangay reading centers, public airports
and seaports, and public transport terminals. Despite this law, however, many are still
deprived of internet access and therefore deprived of some resources. To become
productive citizens, we need to provide and expand access to technology and we need to
be committed that no one is denied digital access.
Digital commerce
Technology users need to understand that a large share of market is being done
electronically. Nowadays people shop through different websites and even do online
transactions for banking. Many other online transactions are occurring including the
illegal downloading, pornography, and others thus a safe and secure online shopping and
other commercial transactions have to be done. With this, an e-commerce act or RA 8972
was signed in July 2000. This Act aims to facilitate domestics and international dealings,
transactions, arrangement, agreements, contracts and exchanges and storage of
information through the utilization of electronic, optical and similar medium, mode,
instrumentally and technology to recognize the authenticity and reliability of electronic
documents related to such activities and to promote the universal use of electronic
transaction in the government and general public.
Digital Literacy
As digital citizens, it is our responsibility to develop and continually enhance our
technological knowledge. We should support and encourage the acquisition of
technological knowledge by others. We should model the positive and proactive use of
technology for good causes, personal and professional growth and education.
Digital Etiquette
This refers to the electronic standards of conduct or procedure. This is often seen
as one of the most pressing problems when dealing with Digital Citizenship. Imagine a
teenager who spreads hate speech about a classmate online. Or the one who browses
Facebook while attending Mass. Browsing social media sites have become so addictive
that young people tend to lose distinction between what is appropriate and what is not.
It begins with rules. It is not enough however to create rules and policies, everyone must
be taught to become responsible digital citizens.
Digital Law
Digital Law refers to the electronic responsibility for actions and deeds. The digital
world is so huge that there should be order, discipline, and ethical use. Plagiarism,
copyright infringement, hacking of information and identity theft are crimes that are
commonly violated by online users. As digital citizens, we must be aware of these illegal
behaviors so that we can avoid them and report those who illegally engage in them.
Digital Rights and Responsibilities
“For every right, there is a corresponding duty and for every privilege, there is a
corresponding responsibility.” The privileges of digital access come along with
responsibility. Just as the Philippine constitution protects us with rights of being Filipino
citizens such as the right to privacy, we also have the responsibility to be cautious in our
online activities such as posting our photos and videos online.
Digital Health and Wellness
Our physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world should be
a priority. Many illnesses have become associated with technology use such as carpal
tunnel syndrome, eyestrain and childhood obesity as an effect of children’s prolonged
sitting in front of the computer screen. Technology has also posed an inherent danger of
addiction and threat from online predators. Thus, children and adults alike must learn how
to protect themselves as digital citizens through education and training.
Digital Security
How to keep oneself secure in any community is a major concern. If we keep our
homes safe with gates and locks, we also need to protect the information that we provide
online with privacy setting and strong passwords. We also need to have virus protection
and backups of our data. As responsible digital citizens, we must know how to keep our
data, our money, and our identity from all hazards in the digital world.
Digital citizenship is very similar to our citizenship in our immediate community.
There are social, ethical and legal issues involved in our day to day dealings with people
and the surroundings. It is not just about recognizing and dealing with online hazards. It
is about building safe places and communities, understanding how to manage personal
information, and about being savvy- using our online presence to grow and shape our
world in a safe, creative way, inspiring others to do the same (Blackboard, 2018). As a
global digital citizen, we need to be conscientious and compassionate; we should strive
to establish a sense of global community in all our online and offline relationships, duties
and endeavors (Global Digital Citizen Foundation).
2 Netizenship and Netiquette in Online
Communities
Lesson Outcomes
Defined netizenship and netiquette
Formulated a set of netiquette guidelines
Created a campaign video to promote netiquette
The Philippines, being considered as social media capital of the world, has a need to
stress social media education and etiquette among online users. The interview conducted
with parents and teachers of high school students in the above example underscored the
need to use social media responsibly. All agreed for the inclusion of social media etiquette
in the education curriculum either as a separate subject or integrated in good manners
and right conduct. Social media can attain many things in terms of social good (Brutas,
2015). How can social media be used to affect positive change?
In the previous lesson, we have understood our roles and responsibilities as global
digital citizens. Our membership in the virtual community requires that we behave
appropriately and act responsibly.
While working online we all create a digital tattoo and we leave digital footprints.
We have to remember that our digital world is permanent, and with each post, we leave
a digital footprint. By doing self-reflecting before we self-reveal, we are able to consider
how what we share online can impact ourselves and others.
([Link]).
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 connotes civic responsibility and participation. Thus netizenship means citizenship
in the internet or in the virtual world.
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 an email, in texting, and other communication on the web.
Below are some netiquette guidelines:
1. Protect your reputation. Whether in real or in virtual world, you are the same
person. Do only what is appropriate and share information that does not harm
you as a person.
2. Respect Others. Respect begets respect. That everyone with respect even if
you have not seen him/her in person. Be judicious about what you say on your
own and other’s pages.
3. Express yourself clearly and use emotions. Communication online is difficult
because emotions are not evident during communication. Miscommunication
usually takes place because your facial expression and your body language
cannot be seen and the tone of your voice cannot be heard. Thus, emoticons
are readily available to show your emotions.
4. Remember the Intellectual property. Ideas online are products of intelligence
others. If you need to cite them, acknowledge the authors. You definitely do
not want to steal properties of others.
5. Check spelling, grammar and punctuation. Since your face cannot be seen
online, you will be judged according to your posts. Good writing means good
manners. We do not want to waste others people’s time reading our post which
is incomprehensible.
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 your name,
birthday, address, name of parents, etc. you definitely do not want to reveal all
these to many people. Besides, providing all these publicly will make you prone
to identity theft.
8. Think about who or what you are representing. As a son/daughter, you
represent your family. As a student, you represent your school. You do not want
your family or school to be put to shame by what you do.
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
[Link]) 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.
3 Intellectual Property Rights on the
Development and Use of Digital
Materials
Lesson Outcomes
Identified examples of Intellectual Property Right in educational setting
Defined the copyright laws
Cited consequences when copyright laws were violated.
[Link] reported that…
A survey of over 63, 700 US undergraduate and 9, 250 graduate students over the
course of three years (2002-2005)—conducted by Donald McCabe, Rutgers University—
revealed the following;
1. 36% of undergraduates admit to “paraphrasing/copying few sentences
from Internet source without footnoting it”
2. 24% of graduate students self-report doing the same
3. 38% admit to “paraphrasing/copying few sentences from Internet source
without footnoting it”
4. 25% of graduate students self-report doing the same
5. 14% of students admit to “fabricating/falsifying a bibliography”
6. 7% of graduate students self-report doing the same
7. 7% self-report copying materials “ almost word for word from a written
source without citation”
8. 4% of graduate students self-report doing the same
9. 7% self-report “ turning in work done by another”
10. 3% of graduate students self-report doing the same
11. 3% report “obtaining paper from term paper mill”
12. 2% of graduate students self-report doing the same
Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual property protection is important in fostering innovation. Without
protection of ideas, individuals will not be able to enjoy the full benefit of their
inventions and they would not be compensated for their creations. This encourages
innovation without the fear that a competitor will steal the idea and/or take the credit
for it.
Intellectual property, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO), refers to creation of the mind such as inventions; literary and artistic works;
designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce. An intellectual property
right is right held by a person or by a company to have exclusive rights over these. In
our country, we have the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) which
administers and implements state policies in relation to intellectual property. This office
was created through Republic Act 8293. This act defines intellectual property to include
copyright and related rights; trademarks and service marks; geographic indications;
industrial designs; patents; layout designs (topographies) of integrated circuits; and
protection of undisclosed information. In the education setting, copyright and related
rights are the ones applicable.
Copyright
Copyright refers to the legal right given to the owner of the original work or
intellectual property. These “works” are original intellectual creations in the literary and
artistic domain protected from the moment of their creation which includes the
following;
1. Books, pamphlets, articles and other writings;
2. Periodical and newspaper;
3. Lectures, sermons, addresses, dissertations prepared for oral delivery, whether
or not reduced in writing or other material reforms;
4. Letters;
5. Dramatic or dramatico-musical compositions; choreographic works or
entertainment in dumb shows;
6. Musical compositions, with or without words;
7. Works of drawing, painting, architecture, sculpture, engraving, lithography or
others works of art; models or designs for works of art;
8. Original ornamental designs or models for articles of manufacture, whether or
not registrable as an industrial design, and other works of applied art;
9. Illustrations, maps, plans, sketch, charts and three dimensional works relative
to geography, topography, architecture or science;
10. Drawings or plastic works of a scientific or technical character;
11. Photographic works including works produced by a process analogous to
photography; lantern slides;
12. Audiovisual works and cinematographic works and works produced by a
process analogous to cinematography or any process for making audio-visual
recordings;
13. Pictorial illustrations and advertisements;
14. Computer programs; and
15. Other literary, scholarly, scientific and artistic works.
The Internet is a very rich source of these materials and we should be careful in
using them. These works are protected by the sole fact of their creation, irrespective of
their form or mode of creation as well as of their content, quality and purpose. Now that
copy and paste are very accessible commands in our computer toolbars, we should try
not to violate the copyright laws otherwise we could be accused of copyright
infringement. Copyright infringement is the use of works without permission where the
copyright holder has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, display or perform the
protected work, or to make derivative works. Proper citations should be used when
including them in our output.
Below are the guidelines on online use of copyrighted materials by Smaldino,
Lowther and Russel (2012);
1. Contrary to popular opinion, all material on the internet is copyrighted unless
stated otherwise. It is copyrighted even if it does not display the copyright
symbol.
2. An email is an original work, fixed in a tangible medium of expression that is
covered by a copyright.
3. Downloading an article from a newspaper’s website, making copies, and
distributing them to your students prior to a class discussion on the topic is
permissible following the current photocopying guidelines which permits
making multiple copies for classroom use. (adapted from Becker, 2003)
4. You cannot post student’s essays, poems, or other works on the school
website unless you have permission of the students and their parents or
guardians.
5. Educators should treat copyrighted materials from the internet the same way
they do to print formats. The best guideline is to always obtain permission.
When in doubt, ask!
Copyright Infringement vs. Plagiarism
Another violation on intellectual property is plagiarism. Although plagiarism and
copyright infringement are related ideas, these two are different. Plagiarism, according to
[Link], is an act of fraud; it involves both stealing someone else’s work and lying
about it afterward. [Link] further elaborates the following as plagiarism;
1. Turning in someone else’s work as your own
2. Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit
3. Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks
4. Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation
5. Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without
giving credit
6. Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority
of your work, whether you give credit or not (see our section on “fair use”
rules)
For images, videos and music the following are counted as plagiarism:
1. Copying media (especially images) from other websites to paste them into
your own papers or websites.
2. Making a video using footage from other’s videos or using copyrighted
music as part of the soundtrack.
3. Performing another person’s copyrighted music
4. Composing a piece of music that borrows heavily from another
composition.
In other words, plagiarism refers to copying the work of another and claiming it as
one’s ideas or without proper attribution while copyright infringement is copying one’s
work without obtaining permission. In this sense, copyright infringement is a violation of
the right of the copyright holder while plagiarism is a violation of the right of author. We
have to note that not all authors are copyright holders; there are cases when the publisher
owns the copyright. In addition, copyright infringement is a legal violation while
plagiarism is an ethical violation.
Reference:
Bilbao, et al. (2019). Technology for teaching and learning 1. Quezon City, PH:
Lorimar Publishing, Inc.