Society 11.3 Digital and Netizen
As our society is inclined towards using more and
more digital technologies, we end up managing most
of our tasks digitally. In this era of digital society, our
daily activities like communication, social networking,
banking, shopping, entertainment, education,
transportation, etc., are increasingly being driven by
online transactions.
Digital society thus reflects the growing trend of
using digital technologies in all spheres of human
activities. But while online, all of us need to be aware
of how to conduct ourselves, how best to relate with
others and what ethics, morals and values to maintain.
Anyone who uses digital technology along with Internet
is a digital citizen or a netizen. Being a good netizen
means practicing safe, ethical and legal use of digital
technology. A responsible netizen must abide by
net etiquettes, communication etiquettes and social
media etiquettes.
11.3.1 Net Etiquettes
We follow certain etiquettes during our social
interactions. Similarly, we need to exhibit
proper manners and etiquettes while being
online as shown in Figure 11.2. One should
be ethical, respectful and responsible while
surfing the Internet.
(A) Be Ethical
• No copyright violation: we should not
use copyrighted materials without the
permission of the creator or owner. As
an ethical digital citizen, we need to be
careful while streaming audio or video
or downloading images and files from
the Internet. We will learn more about
copyright in Section 11.4.
• Share the expertise: it is good to share information
and knowledge on Internet so that others can
access it. However, prior to sharing information, we
need to be sure that we have sufficient knowledge
on that topic. The information shared should be
true and unambiguous. Also, in order to avoid
Activity 11.1
As a digital citizen, list
various services that
you avail online.
Figure 11.2: Net Etiquettes
Ch 11.indd 231 21-May-19 12:42:48 PM
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232 Computer Science – Class xi
redundant information, we should verify that the
information is not available already on Internet.
(B) Be Respectful
• Respect privacy: as good digital citizens we
have the right to privacy and the freedom of
personal expression. At the same time, we have
to understand that other digital citizens also
have the same rights and freedoms. Our personal
communication with a digital citizen may include
images, documents, files, etc., that are private
to both. We should respect this privacy and
should not share those images, documents, files,
etc., with any other digital citizen without each
others’ consent.
• Respect diversity: in a group or public forum,
we should respect the diversity of the people
in terms of knowledge, experience, culture and
other aspects.
(C) Be Responsible
• Avoid cyber bullying: any insulting, degrading
or intimidating online behaviour like repeated
posting of rumours, giving threats online,
posting the victim’s personal information, sexual
harassment or comments aimed to publicly
ridicule a victim is termed as cyber bullying.
It implies repeatedly targeting someone with
intentions to hurt or embarrass. Perhaps new or
non-frequent users of the Internet feel that things
done online have no effect in the real world. We
need to realise that bullying online can have very
serious implications on the other person (victim).
Also, remember our actions can be traced back
using our digital footprints.
• Don’t feed the troll: an Internet troll is a person
who deliberately sows discord on the Internet by
starting quarrels or upsetting people, by posting
inflammatory or off topic messages in an online
community, just for amusement. Since trolls thrive
on attention, the best way to discourage trolls is
not to pay any attention to their comments
