Norms and Responsibilities

I believe that just like with any privilege there are many things that can go wrong quickly if the person is not taking responsibility for their actions. Students must be made aware that whatever app or program they use, their information is being stored. It doesn't magically disappear. So there are many enormous consequences if these students do not use these apps responsibly.    

I agree that we need to impress on the students that on the internet, maybe more than in the physical world, we have to take responsibility for our actions.  I also agree that kids need to know that what they say and do doesn't magically disappear, especially if they are intentionally bullying another student.  It is our responsibility as teachers to teach them how to use the internet as a tool, perhaps like a potter's wheel to shape new visions and craft new ideas.  We can't just hand it to them, like wet clay, without guidelines and without teaching them about the social implications, or they may very well turn the clay into a weapon of destruction that can wound themselves as well as others.