Ben Hubbard - My Digital Rights and Rules

My Digital Rights

and Rules

Ben Hubbard

Illustrated by Diego Vaisberg

DIGITAL CITIZENS

Lerner Publications Minneapolis

First American edition published in 2019 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

First published in Great Britain in 2018 by

The Watts Publishing Group

Copyright The Watts Publishing

Group 2018

Credits

Series Editor: Julia Bird

Illustrator: Diego Vaisberg

Packaged by: Collaborate

All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

Lerner Publications Company

A division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

First Avenue North

Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA

For reading levels and more information, look up this title at www.lernerbooks.com .

Main body text set in Courier PS Std.

Typeface provided by Monotype Typography.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Hubbard, Ben C., author. | Vaisberg, Diego, illustrator.

Title: My digital rights and rules / Ben Hubbard, Diego Vaisberg.

Description: Minneapolis : Lerner Publications, 2018. | Series: Digital citizens | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018026998 (print) | LCCN 2018030667 (ebook) | ISBN 9781541543089 (eb pdf) | ISBN 9781541538818 (lb : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Information technologyLaw and legislationUnited StatesJuvenile literature. | InternetLaw and legislationUnited StatesJuvenile literature. | Privacy, Right ofUnited States Juvenile literature. | Copyright and electronic data processing United StatesJuvenile literature. | Digital rights managementUnited StatesJuvenile literature. | Data protectionLaw and legislation United StatesJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC KF390.5.C6 (ebook) | LCC KF390.5.C6 H83 2018 (print) | DDC 343.7309/944dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018026998

Manufactured in the United States of America

1-45064-35891-7/16/2018

Contents

A good citizen is someone who behaves well, looks after themselves and others, and tries to make their community a better place. A good digital citizen acts exactly the same way. However, the online world is bigger than just a local neighborhood, city, or country. It spans the whole world and crosses every kind of border. It is therefore up to all digital citizens everywhere to make this digital community a safe, fun, and exciting place for everyone.

When we log onto the internet, we become

part of a giant online world.

In this world we can use our smartphones, tablets, and computers to explore, create, and communicate with billions of different people. Together, these people make up a global digital community. That is why they are known as digital citizens. When you use the internet you are a digital citizen too. So what does this mean?

What Is Digital Citizenship?

Citizen vs. Digital Citizen

Is it my right to ban my brother from using my tablet?

Often they are there to protect you.

Umm...

Rules are boring. why do we have them?

Citizens that behave well and follow the rules of their community have certain rights. A right is something a person is entitled to as a human being, such as food, shelter, or protection from harm. Rights also give people certain privileges, such as free speech. This book is all about your online rights, as well as some rules you should follow to be a good digital citizen.

My Digital Rights and Rules

Sometimes it can seem like the internet has no rules. But it actually has many of the same rules as the real world. For example, it is against the rules to bully others or tell lies about them. It is also against the rules to steal other peoples work or download things illegally (see pages 2223). Your school or parents may have some of their own rules about how you use the internet too.

In todays world, everyone should have the right to become a digital citizen with access to the internet.

As digital citizens, we also have certain rights when we go online. But to keep these rights we need to behave responsibly and play by the rules. So what are a digital citizens rights, rules, and responsibilities?

Know Your Rights

Rules

Sarah says you posted a rude comment about her shoes.

Being a responsible digital citizen means behaving in the same way you would in the real world. That means respecting others, being polite, protecting yourself and people you know, and helping others when you can.

Just like in the real world, you have the right to be safe, protected, and free from abuse while online. You also have the right to privacy, free speech, and the right to search freely for information. However, access to some websites may be against the rules of your school, parents, or country.

Responsibilities

Rights

Were you using your phone during class today?

What are you doing?

Exercising my right to free speech.

But football practice started minutes ago.

Your parents may have some rules about when you can use your phone, tablet, or computer and for how long. It doesnt always feel like it, but these rules are often there for your own good. Its also fair that your parents set these rules. After all, they are usually the ones paying for you to be online!

Your school may also have rules about when you can use your digital device. Often they are in place so you pay attention in class and dont disrupt others. Good digital citizens respect the rules and use their common sense about using their digital devices outside of the classroom too. Talking loudly or playing music on smartphones is not a good way to behave in libraries or on public transit.