What does it mean to be a good digital citizen, and why is it important?
Everyone seems to believe that when they are on the internet, they can act however they want, say whatever they want, and that they are completely anonymous, have no responsibility, and no repercussions. This is not true. IP addresses can be traced. You can be found out. You are still responsible for what you say and do online. (Ask any number of famous people who have been exposed being involved in something improper, illicit, or illegal because of an electronic "paper trail").
There are repercussions. Bad thing can happen if you are not careful online.
But regardless of whether bad thing will happen or not, people should act decent online. Don't troll. Don't harass. Be careful what you say. Be VERY careful what pictures you post. Treat others with respect, even if they don't deserve it. Be a good example, not a cautionary tale.
A good starting point is Virginia Shea's book Netiquette: it offers 10 Basic Rules for online etiquette:
Rule 1: Remember the Human
Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life
Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace
Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth
Rule 5: Make yourself look good online
Rule 6: Share expert knowledge
Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control
Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy
Rule 9: Don't abuse your power
Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes
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