SMART-10

Some of the characteristics of a model digital citizen include: respecting yourself, respecting others, respecting other's privacy, respect of rules and laws that come from a source off the internet, follows codes of conduct, and does not attempt to cheat or plagiarize.

As for students and adults I know I would say overall they are not meeting the definition. The category that I most often see them failing in is respecting others. The internet is a place where cyber-bullying has run rampant. I think it is a problem that has become so commonplace that it often times is not thought of as a big deal. This is an area that I see that needs vast and immediate improvement.

Many prosecutors are charging students who participate in sexting with felonies. What do you think of this practice, and how would you handle the situation at your school?

 

Clearly sexting is something that should not be tolerated, however, I do not think bringing felony charges against children is at all productive. I believe this issue should be handled at the school and family levels rather than the law intervening. I think students need to be educated, and when they are caught sexting, along with their punishment, they should take classes or seminars about sexting and proper use of texting. I think this could also work as a preventative measure. I just don't believe law enforcement is the right approach on this issue.