EDUC 108: TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING I

Chapter 7
Use of ICT: Social, Ethical, and Legal Responsibilities
Access to ICT tools and resources has become easy for us and has become vital in our social life. While using ICT
has become a basic right for everyone, these rights should be accompanied with the appropriate responsibility to
effectively use ICT in our lives. The proliferation of ICT is a blessing that holds the potential to make our lives simpler. In
the same vein, this blessing calls for careful management to make the most of the potential benefits ICT can bring to
society.

LESSON 23
Netiquette and Ethical Responsibility in ICT Use
Online communication, considered nonverbal because of its mode, is subject to misinterpretation. Thus, it is
significant to be responsible for using words, their tone, punctuation marks, and emoticons. Part of being responsible is
to behave online ethically. Attitude in ICT use can be assessed by how the user communicates on an online platform.
Adhering to ethical standards will help present oneself properly to the online world. Thus, adherence to netiquette is
significant.0020

Ethical Issues in ICT Use

There is a direct relationship between the technological advancement in the use of ICT and its ethical issues. The
advancement of ICT tools significantly increases the demand for ethical considerations among its users. Thus, using ICT
and its advancement requires diligence in adhering to its ethical standards.

Mason (1986) summarized the issues concerning the ethical standards in the use of ICT using the acronym PAPA
as follows:
[Link] is an act of protecting important data or information. Privacy can be compromised in the use of social media.
Thus, it is safe to ensure that social media is private, allowing a person to determine audiences or viewers. When
anybody can access the account, many problems may arise, such as security breaches, identity theft, etc. This is why
social media sites prefer usernames to appear in the account rather than the real name.

Critical questions that can be asked regarding the issue of privacy are:
1.1 What information must be revealed online?
1.2 Are there information that users need not reveal online?
1.3 Can the information provided be used to answer security questions?

[Link] is about the precision or authenticity to which the information is rendered. The information stored in the
computer system must be guarded against possible errors, and security measures must be in place to correct known
mistakes.

Critical questions that can be asked regarding the issue of accuracy are:
2.1 Who can take charge of the accuracy of the information being stored?
2.2 Who will be accountable for the mistakes of the information provided?

[Link] has been considered to be the most critical issue concerning ethical standards in the use of ICT because of
the increasing demand to intensify the protection of intellectual property rights. Storing and reproducing the information
can be costly as intellectual property rights might have been violated.

Critical questions that can be asked regarding the issue of property are:
3.1 Who is the true owner of the information being stored and reproduced?
3.2 Who owns the intellectual property rights?
3.3 What information may be reproduced?
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[Link] is the ability to obtain data. It could also be a right or privilege possessed by or granted to a person to
access to protected information.

Critical questions that can be asked regarding the issue of accessibility are:
4.1 What is the extent of the right possessed or a privilege granted to a person to access information?
4.2 Under what conditions can a person can access any information?
4.3 Does the recipient of a privilege or holder of a right need to know what is being accessed?

Netiquette-Ethics in Using the Internet

A shorthand for 'internet etiquette' refers to the rules governing the proper way to communicate and browse the
web (Cucu, 2017). It provides for an adopted behavioral standard in the use of ICT. There is no law expressly providing for
the said standards.
However, the adoption and adherence to them are based on the generally accepted principle of respecting others at
times. Various websites have offered ways how to show proper netiquette, but the most common are as follows:

1. Avoid spamming. Spamming is repeatedly sending or posting the same message.

2. Acknowledge the source of copyrighted material.
3. Be clear in conveying a message.
3.1 Never assume that your message is always understood clearly.
3.2 Avoid using colloquial terms or slang, which may lead to misinterpretation and misunderstanding.
3.3 In responding to a message, always provide a quoted statement to convey the message being channeled.
3.4 Observe correct grammar and punctuation.
3.5 Stay on topic. Do not post about football when the conversation is about hair care.
4. Be careful with posts.
5. Before posting a message or a comment to a message, double-check the content of the message to ensure that it
contains the message you intend to express. Review and try to interpret it objectively.
5.1 Review what was already written before contributing to the conversation.
5.2 In writing, exert efforts to be understood because there is not enough time to modify or elaborate once it is
done posting.
5.3 Always remember that posting online means the world has an eye on it.
5.4 Verify facts before reposting.
6. Respect others' privacy.
6.1 Never share the personal information of others in public or online.
6.2 Even if the person expressly allows you to share or post his or her personal information online, sharing would
put the person in danger, such as identity theft.
7. Avoid personal abuse.
7.1 Never threaten people online.
7.2 Avoid saying something that you would not want to be said to you.
7.3 Never post abusive comments on social media.
7.4 Use emoticons in conveying the emotions of the message.
7.5 Avoid replying with a negative comment. Break the cycle by posting something positive.
8. Be responsible for troubleshooting.
8.1 When asking for technical assistance, ensure you understand the manual and troubleshoot
8.2 In requesting technical assistance, provide all the necessary information or exact details to guide the
technical support staff or the technicians.
8.3 Do not use groups as a first resort for information-gathering.
9. Be yourself.
9.1 Never provide false information in your profile or dummy accounts, as your credibility is at stake.
9.2 Be genuine and honest in expressing yourself.
9.3 Netiquette is about making the use of ICT easier for people to understand what is proper and what is not.
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 10. Respect other people online.
10.1 To express your thoughts is a constitutionally vested right.
10.2 Do not allow individual differences to lead to an argument.
10.3 Be conscientious in writing words in capital letters as they could be interpreted differently by the reader or
receiver.
10.4 Always adhere to and follow community standards.
10.5 Read frequently asked questions (FAQs).
10.6 If someone asks a question, help. Thank others who help you online.

LESSON 24.
Intellectual Property Rights in the Educational Setting

The global networks and cyberspace of the information culture that today's students live in unavoidably lead to
various social, political, and ethical issues. This means numerous issues relating to interpersonal connections and
communities become apparent when most activities occur online. Protection technologies and the enactment of
regulations are just two of the many actions taken to solve these problems. In order to use global information legally for
future gain and applications, policies and plans are put into place.

In an era where ICT has permeated every aspect of life, numerous questions arise regarding the legal
applications of technology tools and resources (Mishra, n.d.). Mishra further explains that while ICT allows simpler and
more efficient access to, storage, and retrieval of information, it also suffers from large-scale piracy of copyrighted works,
software, data, music, and video.

Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, and
images used in commerce. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), intellectual property right
is divided into two categories: industrial property, which covers inventions (patents), trademarks, industrial designs, and
geographic indications of source, and copyright, which covers literary and artistic works such as novels, poems, and
plays, films, musical works, artistic works such as drawings, paintings, photographs and sculptures, and architectural
designs.
Intellectual property rights are intangible legal protections for intelligence, creativity, and innovative products.
Intellectual property rights prevent others from taking advantage of the product of intelligence or creativity without the
author's permission. Examples of intellectual property rights include a patent granted for a machine designed by a group
of faculty members, a trademark of the logo of a university, or a copyright of a book written by a professor.
Patent. A patent is a right granted that prevents anyone but the owner of an invention from making, using, or
selling an invention.
Trademark. A trademark protects symbolic information that relates to goods or services. A trademark prevents
competitors from using the same symbol.
Copyright. Copyright grants the exclusive right to produce and distribute original work created by writers, artists,
composers, and publishers. While the work need not be in writing, it must be reduced to a tangible form such as
on paper, in film, or in audio recording. Only the expression of an idea can be copyrighted, not the idea. The
expressive work must also be original - sufficiently new and different from other works.

The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines

The resources that teachers utilize in the classroom must not violate copyright regulations. They can do this by
buying the author's or publisher's materials or by using ones marked as "free" to use in the classroom per the publisher's
stated policies.
Copyright in the school setting can be fully understood through the Republic Act 8293, described as "An Act
Prescribing the Intellectual Property Code and Establishing the Intellectual Property Office, Providing for its Powers and
Functions, and other Purposes." This is widely known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

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According to RA 8293, copyright is a collection of all rights enjoyed by the owner of an artistic or literary work. Copyright
protection gives the creator the right to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display his/her work and protects him/her
from others' stealing ideas. In RA 8293, the term intellectual property right consists of:
 Copyright and Related Rights;
 Trademarks and Service Marks;
 Geographic Indications;
 Industrial Designs;
 Patents;
 Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits; and
 Protection of Undisclosed Information

Government Agencies in Charge of Copyright

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL), which superseded the Bureau of Patents,
Trademarks, and Technology Transfer, is the main government institution responsible for administering the Intellectual
Property Code of the Philippines. It is divided into six bureaus: the Bureau of Patents, the Bureau of Trademarks, the
Bureau of LegalAffairs, the Bureau of Documentation, Information, and Technology Transfer, the Bureau of Management
Information System and Electronic Data Processing, and the Bureau of Administrative, Financial, and Personnel Services.

Copyrightable Works in the Philippines

Under Philippine laws, original intellectual creations in the literary and artistic domain, which are copyrightable
include:
 books, pamphlets, articles, and other writings;
 periodicals and newspapers;
 lectures, sermons, addresses, dissertations prepared for oral delivery;
 letters;
 dramatic or dramatico-musical compositions;
 choreographic works or entertainment in dumb shows;
 musical compositions;
 drawing, painting, architecture, sculpture, engraving, lithography;
 models or designs for works of art;
 original ornamental designs or models for articles of manufacture;
 illustrations, maps, plans, sketches, charts, and three-dimensional works relative to geography, topography,
architecture, or science; to ai show
 drawings or plastic works of a scientific or technical character;
 photographic works, including works produced by a process analogous to photography;
 lantern slides;
 audiovisual works and cinematographic works and work produced by a process analogous to cinematography or
any process for making audio-visual recordings; and
 pictorial illustrations and advertisements and computer programs.

Derivative works are also protected as new works, provided that they do not affect the existing copyright on original
works. Derivative works include:
 dramatizations, translations, adaptations, abridgments, arrangements, and other alterations of literary music
work;
 collections of literary, scholarly, or artistic works and compilations of data; and
 other materials that are original by reason of the selection, coordination, or arrangement of their contents.

However, the following works are not protected by copyright under Philippine laws, to wit:

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  idea, procedure, system method or operation, concept, principle, discovery, or mere data as such, even if they
are expressed, explained, illustrated, or embodied in a work
 news of the day and other miscellaneous facts having the character of mere items of press information
 official text of a legislative, administrative, or legal nature, as well as any official translation thereof
 work of the Philippine Government, unless there was a prior approval by the appropriate government agency
 statutes, rules and regulations, speeches, lectures, sermons, addresses, and dissertations, pronounced, read, or
rendered in courts of justice, before administrative agencies, in deliberative assemblies, and meetings of public
character

RA 8293 further provides that copyrightable works are protected from the moment of their creation. Thus, copyright
registration is not necessary to protect artistic or literary works. The owner of the work or his/her assignees or
successors-in-interest has the right to apply for copyright registration. The owners of original literary and artistic works
are:
1. The author of the work;
2. If the work is of joint ownership:
2.1 The co-authors are the original owners, and in the absence of agreement, their rights shall be governed by
co-ownership rules; and
2.2 The author of each part is the owner of such part he/she created if the work consists of parts that can be
used separately and the author of each part can be identified;
3. If the work is created in the course of employment:
3.1 The employee is the owner when the work created is not part of the employee's regular duties even when he
uses the time, facilities, and materials of the employer;
3.2 The employer is the owner when the work created results from the performance of the employee's regularly
assigned duties unless otherwise agreed upon; and
4. If the work was commissioned, the one who commissioned the work jointly owns it with the author/creator - but the
copyright of the work remains with author/creator, unless otherwise agreed upon.

In the case of audio-visual work, the copyright belongs to the producer, the author of the scenario, the music
composer, the film director, and the author of the work adapted. However, unless otherwise agreed upon among the
creators, the producer has the right to exercise copyright to the extent required for the exhibition of the work in any
manner, except for the right to collect license fees for the performance of musical compositions, with or without words,
which are incorporated into the work.

With respect to letters, the copyright belongs to the writer subject to the following:
 Letters and other private written communications are owned by the person to whom they are addressed and
delivered. However, the same cannot be published or disseminated without the writer's or his heirs' consent.
 However, the court may authorize the publication or dissemination if the public goods or the interest of justice
so requires.

Duration of Copyright Protection

The duration of the copyright protection is further provided in RA 8293, as follows:
 In the Philippines, copyright protection for artistic, literary, and derivative works lasts during the author's lifetime
plus 50 years after the author's death. This term of protection also applies to posthumous works. In the case of
joint authorship, the economic rights shall be protected during the lifetime of the last surviving author plus 50
years after such author's death.
 In the case of anonymous or pseudonymous works, copyright protection shall last for 50 years from the date the
work was first lawfully published. If the work was not published, it shall be protected for 50 years from the
creation of the work.
 Works of applied art shall be protected for 25 years from the date of their creation.
 Audio-visual works shall be protected for 50 years from the publication date. If it is unpublished, it is protected
for 50 years from the date of creation.
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  Performances not incorporated in recordings shall be protected for 50 years from the end of the year in which
the performance took place. Sound or image and sound recordings and performances incorporated therein shall
be protected for 50 years from the end of the year in which the recording took place.
 Broadcasts shall be protected for 20 years from the date the broadcast took place.

Rights Conferred to the Author of a Work

The author has the exclusive right to carry out, authorize, or prevent the:
 reproduction of the work or substantial portion of the work;
 dramatization, translation, adaptation, abridgment, arrangement, or other transformation of the work;
 the first public distribution of the original and each copy of the work by sale or other forms of transfer of
ownership;
 rental of the original or a copy of an audio-visual or cinematographic work, a work embodied in a sound
recording, a computer program, a compilation of data and other materials or a musical work in graphic form, and
irrespective of the ownership of the original or the copy which is the subject of the rental;
 public display of the original or a copy of the work;
 public performance of the work; and
 other communication to the public of the work.

Moral rights confer the following on the author of a work that his name, as far as practicable, be indicated
prominently on the copies and in connection with the public use of his work;
 to make any alterations of his work prior, or to withhold it from publication;
 to object to any distortion, mutilation, or other modification of, or other derogatory action in relation to, his
work which would be prejudicial to his honor or reputation; and
 to restrain the use of his name with respect to any work not of his creation or in a distorted version of his work.

Copyright Infringement in the Philippines

Under Philippine law, copyright infringement occurs when there is a violation of any of the exclusive economic or
moral rights granted to the copyright owner, such as:
 selling or letting for hire, or by way of trade offering or exposing for sale or hire, the article;
 distributing the article for trade or for any other purpose to the extent that will prejudice the rights of the
copyright owner in work; or
 trade exhibit of the article in public.

Under Philippine law, copyright infringement is punishable by the following:

 imprisonment of 1 to 3 years and a fine of 50,000 to 150,000 pesos for the first offense;
 imprisonment of 3 years and one day to six years plus a fine of 150,000 to 500,000 pesos for the second offense;
 imprisonment of 6 years and one day to 9 years plus a fine ranging from 500,000 to 1,500,000 pesos for the third
and subsequent offenses; and
 the offending party may also be ordered to pay civil damages.

The Optical Media Act of 2003

Republic Act 9239, also known as the Optical Media Act of 2003, regulates optical media manufacture,
mastering, replication, importation, and exportation. Optical media refers to a storage medium or device in which
information, including sounds and/or images or software code, has been stored, either by mastering and/or replication
or duplication, which may be accessed and read using a lens scanning mechanism employing a high intensity light source
such as laser. Examples of optical media are compact disks (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and video compact discs
(VCDS), among others.

Fair Use

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 Fair use is any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited purpose. Fair use is a doctrine that allows
limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the right holders. It is a defense against a claim of
copyright infringement (Stanford Libraries, n.d.).
Four factors are looked at to determine fair use, namely:
1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit
educational purposes
2. the nature of the copyrighted work
3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole
4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for, or value of, the copyrighted work

The fair use of a copyrighted work for criticism, comment, news, reporting, and teaching, including multiple copies
for classroom use, scholarship, research, and similar purposes, is not an infringement of copyright. Decompilation, which
is the reproduction of the code and translation of the forms of the computer programs to achieve the interoperability of
an independently created computer program with other programs, may also constitute fair use.

Creative Commons
Creative Commons is an internationally active nonprofit organization that provides free licenses for creators to
use when making their work available to the public and when permitting others to use the work in advance under certain
conditions.

Every Creative Commons license allows one to:

1. copy the work (e.g., download, upload, photocopy, and scan the work);
2. distribute the work (e.g., provide copies of the work to teachers, students, parents, and the community);
3. display or perform the work (e.g. play a sound recording or film in class, or stage play);
4. communicate the work (e.g., make the work available online on the school internet, learning management
system, or on a class blog); and
5. format shift verbatim copies of the work (e.g., copy a MP3 version of music onto a CD or an MP4 version of a film
onto a DVD to play in class).

There are six standard creative common licenses listed from most to least permissive, namely:
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 Table 11. The Six Standard Creative Common Licenses
(Creative Commons, n.d.)

Plagiarism in the Academic Setting

The most common area of intellectual property concern for educators is plagiarism. Plagiarism in the classroom
refers to passing off someone else's research as one's own. Students frequently simplify this idea to mean "word for
word copying," which is a fairly accurate understanding of plagiarism outside the classroom. Plagiarism happens when
someone copies portions from another book or riffs from another album without permission, for instance. Authors who
borrow concepts, regurgitate facts, and reword arguments are not guilty of plagiarism. On the contrary, such an author
genuinely produces his intellectual property by rephrasing borrowed intellectual substance into his own words.
Some common forms of plagiarism are:
 turning in someone else's work as your own;
 copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit;
 failing to put a quotation in quotation marks;
 giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation;
 changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit; and
 copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give
credit or not.

To easily avoid plagiarism:

 understand what is expected, e.g., the assignment goals, evaluation criteria/
 rubric, recommended sources to use, essay length and format, and citation style, among others;
 collect credible sources to avoid using plagiarized materials;
 make notes, plan, and structure efficiently; and
 when in doubt, cite.

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LESSON 25
Cyberbullying and Digital Safety
In today's generation where online communication is considered to be a necessity in different dealings of
everyday life, internet safety and security have become important topics. It is significant to protect a variety of
information and even property. Cyberbullying and computer crimes are increasing every day. Along with this, scammers,
hackers, and thieves, among others, are increasing exponentially when we irresponsibly click on links such as attractive
ads, infected software downloads, or messages. Thus, digital safety rules are of paramount importance.
In the use of technology tools for teaching, the users must be responsible. There are two aspects to ensuring social
responsibility in using these technologies:
 first, the user must follow the fair use policies in using the platform/application/website;
 second, the user must avoid cyber bullying and cyber threats.

Cyberbullying Defined
Cyberbullying occurs over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Bullying's primary
characteristic is its goal to irritate, etc. Nevertheless, irritation might also happen accidentally. How a message is
received-for instance, as a text, a verbal message, a post, or a tweet-can affect how it is understood.
Cyberbullying is also done to make another person feel angry, sad, or scared, usually again and again.
Cyberbullying generally takes a psychological rather than physical form but is often part of a broader pattern of
'traditional' bullying conduct that is aggressive, threatening, or intimidating, and generally repeated.
The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat,
and Tiktok; short message service (SMS), also known as text messages sent through devices; instant messages via
devices, online forums, chat rooms, and message boards; email; and online gaming communities. According to a study by
the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in 2019, one-third of young people in 30 countries said they had been a
victim of online bullying with one in five saying they skipped school due to cyberbullying and violence. Some other
salient findings of the study were:
 cyberviolence affects almost half of children aged 13-17;
 the prevalence of cyberviolence for males (44%) and females (43%) is almost the same;
 one-third of cyberviolence experienced by Filipino children is in the form of verbal abuse over the internet or
through cellphones, while a fourth is through sexual messages;
 more females received messages of sexual nature or content than males; and
 twice as many males as females, however, reported having their nude body or sexual activities, whether real or
falsified, shown on the internet or cellphone.
In the same year's UNICEF-U-Report poll, almost three-quarters of young people from 30 countries said that social
networks, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, are the most common platforms for online bullying. The
same poll also revealed that 32 percent of respondents believe the government is mainly responsible for addressing
online bullying, 31 percent said that young people are responsible, and 29 percent said internet companies are
responsible.

Forms of Cyberbullying and Cyber-Threats

Cyberbullying forms stated by Willard as cited by Disini (n.d.), are as follows:
 Flaming. Online fights using electronic messages with angry and vulgar language.
 Harassment. Repeatedly sending nasty, mean, and insulting messages.
 Denigration. Sending or posting gossip or rumors about a person damages his or her reputation or friendships.
 Impersonation. Pretending to be someone else and sending or posting material to get that person in trouble or
danger or to damage that person's reputation or friendships.
 Outing. Sharing someone's secrets or embarrassing information or images online.
 Trickery. Talking someone into revealing secrets or embarrassing information then sharing them online.
 Exclusion. Intentionally and cruelly excluding someone from an online group.
 Cyberstalking. Repeated, intense harassment and denigration that includes threats or creates significant fear.
 Cyber threats. Direct threats or "distressing material" are general statements that make it sound like the writer is
emotionally upset and may be considering harming someone else, himself or herself, or committing suicide.
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Philippine Laws Protecting Digital Safety
1. Anti-Bullying Act of 2013
Cyberbullying acts are covered under Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act. Section 2 of the Act defines
bullying as any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal, or electronic expression, or a
physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of causing or placing
the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to property, creating a hostile environment at
school, infringing on the rights of another, or materially or substantially disrupting the education process. These acts are
collectively called cyberbullying when committed online. Section 3 of the implementing rules of the law provides that the
term covers social bullying aiming to belittle another individual or group or gender-based bullying that humiliates
another based on perceived or actual sexual orientation and gender identity.

2. Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012

In the Philippines, cybercrimes and other related digital rights violations are covered by Republic Act No. 10175,
known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The law recognizes the importance of providing an environment
conducive to the development, acceleration, and rational application and exploitation of information and
communications technology (ICT) to attain free, easy, and intelligible access to the exchange and/or delivery of
information; and the need to protect and safeguard the integrity of computer, computer and communications systems,
networks and databases, and the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and data stored therein from all
forms of misuse, abuse, and illegal access by making punishable under the law such conduct or conducts.
In Section 4 of the Cybercrime Prevention law, one who publicly or maliciously imputes to another a crime, vice,
defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit,
or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or blacken the memory of one who is dead may be liable under libel. These
acts, when done online, constitute cyber libel. However, Section 5(3) of the implementing rules of the law holds only the
original author liable, excluding likers or sharers of the post.

3. Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009

Republic Act 9775, also known as the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, protects children from exploitation
and abuse. Child pornography refers to any representation, whether visual, audio, or written, by electronic, mechanical,
digital, optical, magnetic, or any other means of a child engaged or involved in real or simulated explicit sexual activities.
Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 Republic Act 9995, also known as the

[Link]-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act

of 2009, penalizes perpetrators who use intimate personal images and videos to blackmail, extort, or harass victims.
Photo or video voyeurism means the act of taking a photo or video coverage of a person or group of persons performing
sexual act or any similar activity or of capturing an image of the private area of a person or persons without the consent
of the person or group of persons, or the act of selling, copying, reproducing, broadcasting, sharing, showing or
exhibiting the photo or video coverage or recordings of such sexual act or similar activity through VCD/DVD, internet,
cellular phones, and similar means or device without the written consent of the person(s) involved.

[Link] Privacy Act of 2012

Republic Act 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012 recognizes the fundamental human right of privacy of
communication while ensuring the free flow of information to promote innovation and growth. In this law, the State
also recognizes the vital role of ICT in nation-building and its inherent obligation to ensure the security and protection of
personal information in information and communication systems the government and in the private sector.

What to Do With Cyberbullying

Some steps people, particularly students, can take to handle cyberbullying situations are offered by McCullum (n.d.):

1. Ignore the bully. Oftentimes, cyberbullies stop their behavior if their victim ignores them.

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 2. Tell a trusted adult. Telling someone at school, like a teacher, coach, or counselor, can go a long way toward
making the abuse stop.
3. Block the bully. Blocking someone prevents the bully from being able to locate one's profile on the service.
4. Change email address or phone number. This way, the person cannot to get in contact to continue the behavior.
5. Collect evidence. Taking a screenshot of the offending post can be used to substantiate a complaint.
6. Contact the authorities if necessary. Authorities, like school officials or the police, should be contacted to take
legal action against the person committing it.
7. Report to the website. The website can be contacted, and the administrator knows what is happening.
8. Create a safety plan. Some other steps of the safety plan include changing passwords, blocking the bullies, and
reporting to trusted adults or authorities.
9. Get additional support. Finding friends, family, and outside support services is essential in helping an adolescent
through this.
10. Avoid self-blame. Victims need to remember that they are not responsible for how other people treat them and
should not feel guilty about it.

With the increasing number of cyberbullying cases, utmost care should be taken when using technology - especially
social media sites. Here are some tips:
 Personal Information. Do not give out too much personal information.
 Screen Name. When creating screen names, avoid including too much personal information.
 Passwords. Do not share passwords with anyone. When using a public computer, log out the accounts accessed
before leaving the terminal. Use strong and unique passwords. Do not automatically click on links in emails.
When in doubt, call the bank or company that sent the email.
 Photos. Think before posting any photo or video online.
 Online Friends. Do not agree to meet an online friend, especially if not known personally.
 Online Ads. Do not buy anything online immediately. Some ads may be tricky by offering free things or telling
that something was won to collect personal information.
 Downloading. Before opening an email attachment or downloading software, examine the email or software
first.
 Bullying. Report to the school authorities any cyberbullying or cyber threat.
 Social Networking. Many social networking websites (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) and blog hosting websites have
minimum age requirements to sign-up.
 Research. Talk to a librarian, teacher, or parent about safe and accurate websites for research. If online
information is used in a school project, ensure that the information source can be explained.
 Interacting with old and new friends. Be kind online. It is okay to disagree, but do not be disagreeable. To get
together with someone first met online, have the first meeting in a public place.
 Shopping, banking, donating, and contests. Purchase at recognized online sellers. E-search before donating
online to ensure the charity is legitimate and the money goes to the right place.
 Using apps and unknown websites. Read reviews before downloading smartphone apps. Know and use the
privacy settings for any device, app, or service used.
 Media literacy and fake news. Be aware that not everything read online is necessarily true. Consider the source
and see if it is likely true or if there is any doubt.

LESSON 26
Safety and Security Issues in ICT Use
Along with advances in technology that made people's lives different, crimes have endangered people's lives.
Many crimes have already been recorded, which involve the use of technology. Hence, issues on security should be a
concern of people. Moreover, ICT use has posed a danger to crimes and people's lives, including in the workplace.

Security Issues in ICT Use

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 Cucu (2017) posits that what keeps people safe online is the ability to recognize online threats and how avoid them.
Luminet (2016) identifies the most common internet security threats as the following:
1. Spam. Spam is any form of unsolicited message, be it email, private forum message, or even Tweet;
2. Adware. This type of malware software displays unwanted ads when a user is surfing the internet;
3. Trojan. Trojans often present themselves as harmless computer programs so that hackers can penetrate a
computer without being detected;
4. Virus. Computer viruses are programs that are designed to gain entry onto unsuspecting users' computers;
5. Worms. Worms are self-replicating programs that usually make their way onto a computer via a malicious email
attachment or USB stick;
6. Phishing. Phishing is a confidence trick designed by would-be thieves to part unsuspecting computer users from
their most precious personal and/or financial information;
7. Spyware. Spyware is another form of malware usually attached to pop-ups of downloadable files;
8. Keyloggers. Keyloggers record a user's keyboard actions;
9. Pharming. This is a more complex version of phishing that exploits the DNS system; and
10. Rogue security software. Rogue security software is a form of malicious software and internet fraud that
misleads users into believing there is a virus on their computer. It aims to convince users to pay for a fake
malware removal tool that installs malware on their computers.

Aside from the threats identified above, Munson (n.d.) also identified hackers, people who attempt to breach or
circumvent online security measures for several reasons and identify theft. Common forms are phishing and pharming,
as internet security issues.
Cucu (2017) provided the following list of internet security tips everyone should be aware of:
1. Keep software/apps updated and delete the ones not used.
2. Be careful when dealing with emails from unknown sources.
3. Do not click that link or an online ad.
4. Just because it is free does not mean it is safe.
5. Do not reveal sensitive information online.
6. Keep your account information for yourself.
7. Report illegal activities or offending content.
8. What you post online stays online forever.
9. Use antivirus protection before you go online.
10. Create backup copies for the important stuff.

Health Issues in ICT Use

Technology users should be concerned with security threats and the potential hazards that ICT use can pose to
their health. Tucker (2016) enumerates health problems that could be caused by technology and some health tips to
consider to avoid them.
1. Musculoskeletal problems like sore or tired muscles and numbness of arms and hands
Tips to consider are to:
1.1 find a correct height for both desk and chair so that the computer screen is at eye level or slightly lower;
1.2 sit with the back straight, legs at 90-degree angles, and feet resting flat on the floor; and
1.3 take frequent small breaks from computer work to stretch muscles, keep blood flowing, and rest the eyes.
2. Vision problems, like eye strain
Causes: Focusing on the computer screen for a long time
Tips to consider are to:
2.1 adjust the brightness on the computer screen, especially in a dark room; and
2.2 maintain a proper vision distance from the screen, and do not forget to blink.
3. Repetitive stress injuries like pain in the neck, shoulders, and fingers
Causes: Repetitive muscle use Tips to consider are to:

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 3.1 place the mouse next to the keyboard, which will require moving the whole arm rather than just twisting the
wrist outward to reach and move it;
3.2 type gently to decrease the stress put on each of the fingers;
3.3 keep wrists flexible when typing and to avoid keeping the wrists fixed in a certain position; and
3.4 relax the arms and try to get a few stretches in when not typing or using the mouse.
4. Headaches
Causes: Increased muscle tension or from pain in the neck, any vision problem, or continued strain on the eyes
Tips to consider are to:
4.1 attend regular eye exams work toward correcting any vision problem; and
4.2 try the best to keep neck straight in front of the computer and take breaks.
5. Obesity
Cause: Lack of adequate physical activity and/or exercise due to prolonged use of computers
Tips to consider are to:
5.1 set limits for children when they use computers or electronics in general;
5.2 encourage children to engage in outdoor play or a certain hobby to lead a more active lifestyle; and
5.3 take a break and make time for some exercise if the work needs a longer period.
6. Stress Disorders
Causes: Prolonged use of computers, poor health, increased pressure placed on the workplace environment
Tips to consider are to:
6.1 seek treatment options for any stress encountered; and
6.2 try things from yoga, natural remedies, or medical provider to combat stress.
7. Laptop use injuries
Cause: The physical structure of a laptop causes potential injuries to the back and neck.
Tips to consider are to:
7.1 use a desktop computer set up ergonomically-correct as frequently as possible with the use of laptops only
intermittently; as
7.2 use separate laptop equipment, such as a wireless mouse, keyboard, or laptop stand;
7.3 take frequent breaks; and
7.4 make sure to carry the laptop in a backpack or luggage; otherwise, it may cause strain on the muscles from
carrying it.
8. Sleeping problems
Cause: Artificial lighting given off from computer screens
Tips to consider are to:
8.1 refrain from using a computer right before going to bed; and
8.2 resort to reading a book or something to that degree before going to bed, so falling asleep may come more
easily.
9. Hearing loss from headphones
Causes: Listening to audio with headphones consistently, using a volume that is too high
Tips to consider are to:
9.1 keep the headphones' volume to a tolerable level, one that blocks out any extra noise that is just loud enough
to hear; and
9.2 listening to headphones at only approximately 80 decibels.
10. Increased risk of blood clots
Causes: Being immobile and not allowing blood a chance to get moving around the extremities, sitting in one
position for too long, generally over four hours
Tips to consider are to:
10.1 avoid crossing legs when using a computer for an extended period;
10.2 take many breaks and stretch legs to get the blood flowing; and
10.3 make sure to bend and move extremities even while sitting, if there is a need to sit for an extended period of
time.

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Hazard Issues in ICT Use
Some safety hazards in ICT use and ways to prevent them are given below.
1. Electrocution
Causes: Faulty equipment, spilling of drinks over electrical equipment, or opening up an electrical device when
one does not know what s/he is doing
To prevent electrocution:
1.1 make sure wires are insulated;
1.2 keep drinks away from the equipment;
1.3 report any malfunctioning equipment to a technician; and
1.4 never open up an electrical device
2. Tripping over wires and cables
Causes: Trailing wires that are not secured or tucked away.
To prevent tripping over wires:
2.1 hide wires in cable ducts;
2.2 tuck trailing wires under desks or carpets; and
2.3 use wireless technology to eliminate the use of wires
3. Heavy equipment falling
Causes: Equipment not positioned securely onto desks, flimsy desks, and poor quality
To prevent equipment from falling:
3.1 make sure that equipment is positioned away from the edge of desks; and
3.2 use strong desks/tables that can support the weight with ease.
4. Fire
Causes: Too many devices are plugged into a single main outlet simultaneously, leaving devices plugged in and
unattended for long periods, covering air vents on devices like laptops
To prevent fire:
4.1 make sure that the room has plenty of main outlets;
4.2 don't plug too many devices into the same outlet;
4.3 turn off and unplug devices if going to be away for a long time;
4.4 have a fire extinguisher at hand; and
4.5 leave air vents on devices uncovered.

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