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