Safe, Legal, and Ethical Use of Digital Information and Technology

Safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology: It is important to address the safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology with students because of the dangers and ease of misuse of private information that occur when users are irresponsible with technology and its many avenues. Students may not realize the immense accountability that comes with turning on the computer and opening the World Wide Web. Safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information means that any user with access to digital technology via computers, phones, tablets, etc. needs to be aware of what information they share, how they share, with whom they share it with, where it is being sent, and why is information needed for what they are doing. Safety means privacy; legal means what is right versus wrong, and ethical means knowing what is right. Students need to learn what is safe to do over the internet (private information, pictures), what is legal (hacking) and ethical (bullying, lying) for example. This is important in the development of technology integrated lessons because the teacher needs to make sure the students are aware of certain dangers and how to responsibly behave with digital technology beforehand in order to stop as many mishaps during the lesson.