An old adage tells us “Character is what you do when no one is watching.”

So it is with the Internet. Online, people can feel invisible and capable of doing things they normally wouldn’t do in person or in public – things that they know might be wrong. As the Internet becomes an indispensable tool for everyday life, it is more important than ever to dust off the concept of “citizenship” and apply it to the online world.

Relatively new terms, “cybercitizenship”, “cyber ethics”, and “netiquette” refer to responsible cyber social behavior. These terms refer to what people do online when no one else is looking. As our kids go online in increasing numbers, cyber ethics is a critical lesson, especially since poor e-habits can start at an early age. Unfortunately, we are learning all too well that children armed with computers can be dangerous and cause serious damage and harm, regardless of whether they are being mischievous or trying to intentionally commit cybercrimes.

Teaching Cyber Citizenship

There are four effective approaches for parents who want to ensure their children are doing the right thing online:

• Have a basic understanding of the technology (and the options).
• Participate with your child online.
• Determine what standards have been established for in-school computer use.
• Create, with your child, a set of Rules of the Online Road that clearly establish your household’s expectations relating to both ethics and safety.

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Since 1991 the Learning for Life character education program has offered school based lessons and activities to youth in the Utah National Parks Council, Boy Scouts of America territory. The Learning for Life program currently serves 9,073 youth in schools, clubs and organizations throughout central and southern Utah. For more information contact Ann Shumway at ann.shumway@lflmail.org or 801-437-6218.