Digital rights are the ability to have freedom and right to use all types of digital technology. Being able to use technology in an acceptable and appropriate manner is an important part of digital rights. When using digital technology, you are given the right to your privacy and freedom to express your personal feelings.
Digital rights and responsibilities is an important topic because even though we have rights to privacy and freedom within the digital world, there is a responsibility to teach our students the values of having respect and integrity when they are acquiring information and materials from digital sources. “ Digital Rights and Responsibilities are the "privileges and freedom extended to all digital technology users, and the behavioral expectations that come with them" (Behrens,n.d.). Schools should have to follow specific policies in their schools that show how to be respectful in and out of the classroom. Rules should be set for students so that they understand what is right and wrong when using digital tools.
There are many reasons why students should be taught digital citizenship in school. Students usually have a moral compass that is developed from their families, community, or their faith but they may not always know how to apply their knowledge into the digital world. Being able to bridge the gap between a student’s knowledge from their moral compass to their actions while using digital tools is very important. When a student understands that their actions in their everyday life is linked to their choices that they make in the digital world, they will make more responsible decisions. “It’s important to understand unethical behavior and its impact for all of us. But this goes double for students — especially younger students — , who use technology for research, class work, and entertainment every day” (Holmes,2017). When a student is taught how to be a digital citizen, they will recognize how to properly use online resources.
Behrens, J. (n.d.). Digital Rights and Responsibilities. Retrieved July 30, 2020, from http://areyouadigitalcitizen.weebly.com/digital-rights-and-responsibilities.html#:~:text=Digital Rights and Responsibilities are,as well as at home.
Holmes, C. (2017, October 12). 3 Big Reasons You Need to Teach Digital Citizenship in CTE. Retrieved July 30, 2020, from https://www.aeseducation.com/blog/teaching-digital-citizenship-in-cte#:~:text=Teaching good digital citizenship to,impact for all of us.&text=When using a physical book,they must cite anything used.
