Question

Problems Caused by the Internet - Section 1

Problems Caused by the Internet
A small globe sitting on a computer keyboard

The internet spans the entire globe, connecting people and resources all over the Earth. (Imagery supplied by Cybrain via Adobe)
You belong to a number of different communities.

You are a member of a family.
You are a resident of the neighborhood you live in.
You are a student in your school.
You are a citizen of a country.
Each of those memberships comes with certain privileges and benefits. They also come with certain responsibilities, requirements, and warnings. In each case, you are expected to behave a certain way. If you don’t, there may be risks or penalties.

For example, when crossing a public street at a traffic signal, you are expected to obey the signal and wait for the green light. If you don’t, you risk being hit by a vehicle.

The internet is a whole world unto itself, offering countless resources, opportunities, knowledge, and social contacts. But when you enter it, you become a citizen of that world, a digital citizen. That citizenship, too, comes with certain responsibilities, requirements, and warnings. When using the internet, you are expected to behave a certain way. If you don’t, you may incur risks or penalties.

This lesson explores those responsibilities, requirements, and behaviors at a high level as well as the risks and penalties of not being a good digital citizen. Future lessons will dive into them in greater depth.

Objectives
Describe problems caused by the internet.
Vocabulary

copyright
a legal statement certifying an author’s ownership of a piece of written work

identity theft
when a criminal steals critical information about a person’s identity and uses that information to impersonate the target and gain control of their bank accounts, credit cards, and other valuables

netiquette
etiquette governing communication on the internet

personally identifiable information
any single piece or multiple pieces of information that can identify a single person (PII)

phishing
where an attacker sends a fraudulent email or text message designed to get you to reveal secret information or download malicious software
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Question # 1
Fill in the Blank
Complete the sentence.
Spending time in the world of the internet is sometimes referred to as being a
citizen.

Answer 1

Spending time in the world of the internet is sometimes referred to as being a digital citizen.

As a digital citizen, individuals are expected to adhere to certain responsibilities and requirements while navigating the vast online landscape. Much like a citizen in physical communities, digital citizens must follow a set of rules, often encompassed by the term netiquette, which governs proper behavior and communication on the internet.

Failure to comply with these expectations can lead to various risks and penalties. The internet offers numerous opportunities and resources, but it also presents challenges such as identity theft, phishing, and the misuse of personally identifiable information. Understanding and practicing responsible digital citizenship is crucial in mitigating these problems.