Facebook is used for social media and social networking. It can aid learning as it allows for sharing, receiving, and publishing of information through posts, images, audio, video, games, etc. With its many users, Facebook is often cluttered with infractions to good digital citizen, ethics, and netiquette. Educators must assist in teaching and practicing behaviors that are appropriate and responsible in the digital world. Technology users should consider the nine themes of digital citizenship: digital access, digital commerce, digital communication, digital literacy, digital etiquette, digital law, digital rights & responsibilities, digital health & wellness, and digital security/self-protection (Ribble, n.d.). Ribble further stated it is the responsibility of users to practice acceptable online conduct and to expect the same of others.
Twitter functions similarly to facebook as users can publish comments, videos, ideas, and images. Tweets are limited to 120 characters yet can easily violate digital citizenship, ethics, and netiquette as well. Technology users should keep in mind that the ability to conceal one's identity online does not excuse or encourage inappropriate behaviors. Educators must inform and remind learners that good digital citizenship encompasses respect for oneself and others which can promote creativity and productivity.
As a future educator, I would incorporate Facebook and Twitter as learning tools for digital citizenship, ethics, and netiquette. I would ask learners to consider posts, images, and ideas that they feel violate acceptable online principles then offers suggestions on how the infractions could have been presented more appropriately. I would also ask learners to provide examples of how one might effectively approach authors who practice poor digital citizenship.
The URL below provides additional information on digital citizenship along with tips for online safety and ethical decisions in the following areas: Internet Safety, Privacy & Security, Relationships & Communication, Cyberbullying & Digital Drama, Digital Fingerprints & Reputation, Self Image & Identity, Information Literacy, and Creative Credit & Copyright.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship
References
Ribble, M. (n.d.). Nine themes of digital citizenship. Retrieved from http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html
Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2013). Netiqeuette: Rules of behavior on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/netiquette-rules-behavior-internet/
