Norms & Responsibilities

The biggest issue facing the norms and responsibilities when it comes to the digital world is the ease in which someone can be faceless with what they put out there. Many people have enormous digital footprints, but they can quickly hide behind anonymous posts and claim ownership (or deny ownership) without consequence. If we truly want to continue to have the right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression, then we need to realize that the intent of those freedoms rested within the context of ownership of the speech or expression. Colonials did not have anonymous online posts, they either spoke publicly or signed their statements in written publication. However, if we are going to be more transparent online, then the material you put out there, and claim ownership to, needs to be protected by copyright laws that can be enforced so those violating those laws can be effectively prosecuted. I realize this is a HUGE undertaking, but if we truly want responsibility and rights in the digital world, then there needs to be a way to enforce it, because humans have proven they cannot self-regulate themselves when it comes to digital content.

Great points about hidden identity vs ownership of posts and the way people behave differs when they appear anonymous.

Yes! This era of anonymity of dissent has caused so much harm and trauma. Cyber bullying is REAL. As digital citizens we need to be brave like our ancestors when speaking up/out and be responsible in using our physical identity as dual citizens to do so. If we are not brave enough to do this then must reflect what about our dissent seems not right and maybe refrain from that post/comment.