Code of Ethics to Ease Digital Citizens

Youtube: https://youtu.be/bRAqe6C8kvQ

About.Me: https://about.me/ddoss

The digital world we live in can be scary at times. With a forever-changing digital environment, it’s easier said than done to act accordingly as a Digital Citizen. Times change, people’s views differ, the rules and regulations fluctuate, information is stolen, lives are altered, and the digital world we live in rests on no occasion to point out the faults and flaws in others.

Any person using information technology to engage in society, politics, or the government, is referred to as a digital citizen. Digital Citizenship is a concept to help digital citizens monitor their own appropriateness as they use technology. The elements, digital citizens should have awareness to, of Digital Citizenship are digital access, literacy, etiquette, communication, security, commerce, law, health and wellness, and rights and responsibilities. There are terms and examples associated with each of the 9 elements but they all aren’t easy to remember or understand for the average young user. Also, without extensive research, a realistic understanding and perspective of the elements doesn’t always sink in to the psyche of digital citizens, or technology users. 

Furthermore, there are many challenges and responsibilities for all digital citizens to overcome and be cognizant of. To help combat these obstacles and remain responsible engaging in information technology, such as using applications online, digital citizens need a set of code of ethics, or ethical principles, to live by in order to help with their overall knowledge and awareness of their digital presence and responsibilities. By giving digital citizens another resource to lean on, hopefully, more technology-user’s perspectives can be enlightened to help their own understanding in usages of information technology and the different issues associated with the digital world in regards with how to react to or influence change.

CODE of Ethics for Digital Users:

In your digital world (online):

1.   Don’t be afraid of adapting to a forever changing digital environment.

2.   Respect others as you would yourself.

3.   Remain cognizant of your digital presence.

4.   Think twice before trading information and resources.

5.   Expose digital issues, and seek solutions for society.

6.   Find your reason why you want to make a difference.

7.   Help provide digital resources for those who can’t help themselves.

8.   Ask yourself, “What super-power of mine can I offer society to influence change in a positive direction.

Poster: Code of Conduct for 'digital users' to live by

-Dylan Doss

Ways to End the Digital Divide

The Digital Divide – How I think it can be bridged

            The digital divide is the difference between those who have available access to computers and Internet and those who don’t. The digital divide has a devastating impact on many around the world, and even the U.S is affected with 71 percent of Americans who are subscribed to broadband at home. At some point, the Internet and access to technology, or computers, needs to be readily available to primarily all students in school and even in their own homes where independent learning experiences are most important. Furthermore, there are obstacles in achieving this mission, but it isn’t impossible to provide access to the Internet and computers for students affected by the digital divide that need greater assistance than their upbringing and environment could provide for.
            To start, the community, schools, and nonprofit organizations need to be more willing to work with families to provide students discounted technology and Internet service at home, outside-school learning materials (given or uploaded to a device), after-school access, and affordable information for families who qualify for free and reduced-price school lunch programs. By implementing these actions, there is a greater chance to bridging the digital divide. From the support of the community, schools, and nonprofit organizations, all students on the wrong side of the digital gap will have a better and fair chance in continuing their learning experience at home that is considered the most important time. Furthermore, students are less likely to fall behind in class and stay on top of assignments with greater access to the Internet, a computer (or device), and online viewing materials for school. In addition, parents can save money for the necessities while helping provide for their child’s educational experience.

(Poster representing the issue and solution of the Digital Divide affecting millions of people)

Media Literacy - Digital Etiquette Issue

Media Literacy Issues: Digital Etiquette

(Video Summary: As media literacy and technology is advancing with expectation, many teens are guilty of poor digital etiquette and need more parental advisory to help teens use more appropriate behavior when using digital technology, social networking sites, etc.)

Xianhui and Wanli (2018) suggest that proper digital etiquette, as part of digital citizenship, is of the utmost importance for teens learning how and when to start engaging in the Internets and social networking sites (SNS). Digital etiquette, focused from digital citizenship, is very similar regarding the standard of conduct and behavior that is expected from digital technology users. Reinforcing ethical online behavior and discouraging risky conduct for teens early on is the source for acceptable digital etiquette. Research was conducted to examine the effects of parental involvement with children in their youth as teens and how their digital etiquette improves on account of their guidance. These factors are important to compare together because correct digital etiquette, or mannerisms with the Internet and technology, can greatly influence users’ safety while using different technology and features. The results of these findings are in support of my hypothesis: Teens whose parents are more involved in their digital technology usage tend to show significant improvements in their digital etiquette and safety.

Studies have been conducted on the relationship between a teens’ digital etiquette and the influence of parental involvement to ensure a more responsible digital independence and ethical online behavior for their teen. It’s beneficial that parents can intervene in their child’s Internet activity, but it’s hard for them to monitor and control all their social networking site (SNS) activity. Parents aren’t always around to keep an eye on their teen. To make matters more difficult, another barrier parents struggle to overcome is their own ignorance and lack of experience when it comes to using technology. This paper examines Xianhui and Wanli’s (2018) findings among other researchers for the purpose of further research that is most current at this time to examine the relationship between a teens’ digital etiquette and the affects of parental digital technology intervention.

- Dylan Doss

Digital Citizenship & Voting 2018

Digital Citizenship & Voting 2018

Don't be like many others young people in our country!... get out and VOTE and understand that the young voters make up half the election so all youth needs to be pushed in understanding politics at a young age.

(Vote 2018 Campaign Poster)

(Vote 2018 Campaign :60 video)

- Dylan Doss

Me and My Issue! #DoPersevereMovement

Me and My Issue!

#DoPersevereMovement

My plan for tackling a local issue in my community is to create a movement with my super power, perseverance, that challenges people in Kansas City to implement fitness, or any physical activity, as part of their normal routine to battle stress, anxiety, and most importantly, depression, so that they can lead a more quality, and healthy lifestyle that prevents falling into worst pits like suicidal thoughts.

            The movement I created is called ‘DO PERSEVERE’. The motto I’m willing to spread with my movement is: “Above all odds for life”. To me, ‘DO PERSEVERE’ is a simple start to encourage and remind anyone battling depression, or in a difficult place with stress and anxiety, to not give up on them-selves and what they are capable of achieving. This movement also supports those dealing with depression by spreading awareness of this cause for those seeking or in need of a lifestyle change and could use the right push for motivation in their lives. 

            To address those who disagree with my movement, I’d mention that there is never enough awareness or support to inspire every person in the world battling depression and what could be a more efficient way to battle depression than implementing fitness into your routine that will change the way you feel and think for the better. Furthermore, depression is an everlasting problem in all communities and my movement plans to get ahead of this issue in Kansas City to positively impact and influence lives before anyone in the community decides to inflict damage on themselves or others. 

            Fitness/any physical activity is proven in numerous ways to positively change someone’s life. More importantly, relating to the ‘DO PERSEVERE’ cause, Fitness/physical activity directly reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, physical activity can improve one’s sleep, digestion, metabolism, overall mood, and prevents chronic diseases (Type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and heart disease) while improving cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness.

            Hopefully, by pushing this movement, those struggling against stress, anxiety, and depression will become inspired to overcome their obstacles by seeing what my super power, perseverance, was capable of accomplishing so they, in turn, choose to make an important change in their lifestyle. 

By Dylan Doss

My Super Hero/Alter Ego Comic Strip Narrative

My Super Hero/Alter Ego Comic Strip Narrative

Super Hero: Doss/Dossatron/Persevere Doss

            Doss was always the type of character to never give up. No matter the circumstances or hardships, Doss never stopped believing in him-self as to what he was capable of accomplishing. A difficult time when Doss learned to persevere was when he broke his leg and wanted to give up on physical therapy but never quit.

The mentality to never stop believing for Doss started at a young age and, after several years of persevering, developed into an unstoppable power, called “Ultimate Perseverance”, that allows Doss’s spirit to be unbreakable and fuels his determination.

            Throughout the years, Doss inspired others by showing them how powerful self-motivation and determination can be. When “Ultimate Perseverance” is activated around others, everyone surrounding Doss within a radius of 20 yards gets to mirror his abilities of an unbreakable spirit and fueled determination. 

This power has the ability to start a ripple effect in communities to inspire others to never give up on themselves, and what life has to offer them. Once Doss realized he was saving lives in his community, (Joe) battling depression, he made it his mission to use his powers to fight against depression and help others restore self-motivation. The archenemy of Doss is depression. Overtime more and more people get inspired to never give up and this creates a nation-wide movement to end depression and “persevere above all odds for life”.

Updated Comic Strip coming soon...

By Dylan Doss