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Digital Citizenship

The topic of digital citizenship is certainly gaining momentum, not only in the United States, but around the world. Whether it is called digital citizenship, digital wellness, or digital ethics, the issues are the same. With the growth of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and 1:1 initiatives in schools, there is a need to talk about responsible use of technology.

Digital Rights

Downloading unauthorized copies of music, movies, and software is illegal. Tell me something I don't know.

We all know it's illegal, but some things just feel more illegal than others. Well, here's what you may not know: Your chances of getting caught illegally downloading files at a university are much, much higher than at home. Get caught and you'll face penalties that could include prison time and huge fines.

Even though you feel anonymous online, the reality is that the files you download can be traced to your computer.

Digital Commerce

If you don't know the dangers of shopping online, you don't want to learn by experience. Massive amounts of money change hands each day via legal Internet commerce, but not all Internet commerce is legal and not all of it is safe. Digital citizenship is a code of conduct, and just as in the real world, the Internet world has its share of scammers out to get your money.

Digital Security

Digital security is about taking action to protect yourself and your UWF community from online threats. This means selecting strong passwords and keeping them secret, taking precautions to protect your computer from spyware, and using anti-virus software.

As a computer user, it is your responsibility to be aware of and protect against security threats. The consequences of not staying protected include identity theft, loss of computer data, and damage to your personal reputation. Every time you hear about a security breach on the nightly news, it comes as a result of individuals not taking security seriously. This is not something you want on your resume.

UWF Computing Resources Usage Agreement

When you first activated your UWF ArgoNet account, you read and agreed to the University of West Florida's Computing Resources Usage Agreement. This agreement outlines the responsibilities that accompany your access to UWF technology. All UWF students, faculty, and staff are required to comply with the rules set out in the agreement. In addition, the UWF Student Code of Conduct outlines expectations for student use of university technology.