Ten Commandments of Cyber Ethics

I. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm people Be polite when you are sending messages to people. Treat other people the way you would like to be treated. Think before you hit the “send” command. The things you text or could hurt someone.

II. Thou shalt not interfere with other people’s computer work If someone forgets to log out, log out for them. Leave other people’s files alone. Treat other people the way you would like to be treated.

III. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people’s files Be careful to “log out” of sites you have signed into. Be a good Cyber Citizen: If someone forgets to log out, log out for them.

IV. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal Illegal gambling and fraud are examples of using a computer to steal. Using your computer as place to store illegal or stolen information is wrong. Using or texting to plan crimes is wrong.

V. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness “False witness” means telling lies about people. Be considerate of other people’s feelings. Don’t spread rumors.

VI. Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid “Software” is a term for computer programs. Software allows you to do things on the computer. Examples are video games, media players like iTunes, and word processing programs like MS Word. “Open source” and “shareware” are free and OK to use.

VII. Thou shalt not use other people’s computer resources without authorization “Authorization” means permission. “Computer resources” are people’s hardware (the computer) and software (the programs). If it’s not yours, ASK first.

VIII. Thou shalt not appropriate other people’s intellectual output “Intellectual output” can be books, artwork, music, films, magazine articles, video games. “Appropriate” means copying other people’s work and passing it off as your own. If you do use someone else’s work, cite your source. I will cite my sources for this lesson at the very end.

IX. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write If you create a computer program that helps others steal or do anything against the law, you have done wrong. Hacking is wrong. Examples of hacking are shutting down or defacing web sites and creating and sending viruses.

X. Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect The computer is a wonderful tool. There are lots of positive ways to use a computer. Can you think of some?

Works Cited “Ten Commandments of Cyber Ethics.” The Cyber Citizen Partnership. 10 Jun ments.html ments.html “What Is Cyber Crime?” The Cyber Citizen Partnership. 10 Jun e.html e.html