Cyberethics

Information technology (IT) sources, including email and Internet access, are provided for educational purposes in our nation's schools. It is necessary for students to know and adhere to their school's IT policy so that the school can continue to maintain and improve the functioning of their computing resources and to comply with Federal and State laws. A model acceptable use policy is provided at the link below.

On October 23, 2002, President Bush announced his agenda to increase Federal efforts to promote Online Safety. He also urged parents of America to take time to teach children about staying safe online. More information is available via the links below.

On September 5, 2000, in conjunction with the new Cybercitizen partnership to teach children about responsible online behavior, Attorney General Janet Reno wrote a letter to parents asking them to instill computer ethics and responsibility in their children. A new web site - www.cybercitizenship.org - represents a major national effort to provide teachers, parents and their children with a new learning tool - responsible computer use. The Web site is initially focused on providing support for parents, and will expand to assist teachers and appeal to kids. Read the press release and the letter via these links:

The Department of Justice Kidspage has many resources for kids, their parents and teachers. It includes a special page on “Cyberethics for Kids” and “A Lesson Plan for Teachers of Elementary and Middle School Children” which is accessible via the links below:

• Cyberethics for Parents and Educators
  • Model Acceptable Use Policy for IT Resources in the Schools
  • Increasing Online Safety for America's Children - White House Fact Sheet (October 23, 2002)
  • Cybercitizen Partnership Launches Web Site With Back-to-School Tools to Teach Kids about Responsible Online Behavior (September 5, 2000)
  • Letter From Attorney General Janet Reno To Parents on Cybercitizenship and Cyberethics (September 5, 2000)
• Cyberethics for Kids
  • Cyberethics for Kids
  • Computer Crime: A Lesson Plan Outline for Teachers of Elementary and Middle School Children

There are numerous sites where Internet Safety, Security and Responsibility issues are addressed. A list of some of these sites that provide comprehensive information, teaching tools and activities for children are accessible via the link below. The list is provided as an educational and research resource only. The material reached through the links does not represent the opinions or the positions of the Department of Justice.

We are interested in hearing from organizations and individuals that have programs related to cyberethics and cybercitizenship! If you have a program, please send us a letter or fax with a description of your organization and how we can learn more about your efforts. We can be reached at U.S. Department of Justice, 10th & Constitution Ave., NW, (Cyberethics, Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section), John C. Keeney Building, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20530. Fax (202) 514-6113.

We are interested in hearing from organizations and individuals that have programs related to cyberethics and cybercitizenship! If you have a program, please send us a letter or fax with a description of your organization and how we can learn more about your efforts. We can be reached at U.S. Department of Justice, 10th & Constitution Ave., NW, (Cyberethics, Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section), John C. Keeney Building, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20530. Fax (202) 514-6113.

• Cyberethics Web Sites
• Internet Safety (Outside Links)
  • Safety Tips for Kids on the Internet from the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI publication of parent’s guidelines addressing online safety and reporting on-line offenders)
  • U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology on Internet Safety(links to federal reports addressing technological and non-technological approaches to protecting children online and other related resources)
  • Kidz Privacy (U.S. Federal Trade Commission explains the rules (established by the FTC) for website operators to protect kids’ privacy while they are online. The rules are part of the 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. This site provides online privacy guidelines and resources for kids, parents and educators.)
  • The Children's Partnership Online(This site provides online safety resources including online sites for families.)
  • GetNetWise(This site is a project of the Internet Education Foundation that provides many resources for families including guidelines and links to educational and entertaining Internet sites appropriate for kids.)
• Training / Interactive
  • I-Safe America(The Internet Safety Foundation is dedicated to educate and empower youth to safely and responsibly take control of their Internet experience. Their web site offers numerous different ways to get involved and make a difference, including: chat hosts, room monitors, HTML coders and programmers, writers and editors and web surfers. I-Safe provides information on navigating and surfing the Internet to make it an exciting and safe adventure.)
  • Cybersmart Curriculum(lesson plans and activity sheets for K-8 co-published by the CyberSmart School Program and MacMillan McGraw-Hill)
  • Net Safety-The NetSmartz Workshop(A National Center for Missing and Exploited Children web page for parents and educators provides interactive lesson plans for ages 5-13+)
• Internet Security
  • Consumer Information Security(The Federal Trade Commission provides information for consumers and businesses on computer security and safeguarding personal information, including a link to a "Consumer Information Security" video, a fact sheet on "How to Stay Safe Online if you Use High-Speed Internet Access," and a "Safe Cyber Surfer" quiz and other "fun stuff" for kids.)
  • CERIAS / Purdue University(This university center offers information on computer, network and communications security educational programs and events: seminars, free teacher workshops, continuing education, scholarship programs, Masters degree and K-12 resources.)
  • Computer Security Resource Center - CSRC(The Computer Security Division (CSD) is one of eight divisions within the National Institute of Standard and Technology's Information Technology Laboratory that works to improve the security of information systems. The CSD's Computer Security Resource Center (CSRC) site provides news, services and guidance to the user, vendors and the federal community on securing IT planning, implementation, managment and operation.)
• Internet Responsibility - Information
  • There's One More Talk You Need to Have (PDF)(The Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section's Chief, Martha Stansell-Gamm wrote this article that was published by Newsweek regarding the need for parents to find out what their children are doing online and to teach their children how to be good citizens on the NET.)
  • Model Acceptable Use Policy for IT Resources in the Schools (PDF) (It is necessary for students to know and adhere to their school's information technology (IT) policy so that the school can continue to maintain and improve the functioning of their computing resources and to comply with Federal and State laws. It is important that parents discuss these rules with their student to ensure he or she understands them. A model acceptable use policy is provided by the Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.)
  • United States Copyright Office(U.S. Copyright Office site provides copyright information and online services.)
  • Piracy and the Law(The Business Software Alliance explains the legal responsibilities for individuals and businesses, large and small. This site provides additional information on types of piracy, tools and resources, and reporting software piracy.)
  • Pro Music (This is an international web site that supports legitimate online music services and provides answers to questions about copyright laws for online music.)
• Internet Responsibility - Training / Interactive
  • Copyright Kids (This site was developed by a subcommittee of the Friends of Active Copyright Education (FA©©E), an initiative of the Copyright Society of U.S.A., to teach school-age children the basics of copyright law. Learning activities and tools provided include quizzes, sample permission letters, directions on copyright registration and relevant links.)
  • Cyberethics for Kids (PDF)(U.S. Department of Justice offers teachers a lesson plan outline and exercises for K-8.)
  • Cybercitizenship.org (The Cybercitizen Partnership Awareness Campaign offers approaches for teaching children about cyberethics, cybercrime information, and links to adult and youth resources.)