A good digital citizen uses digital resources responsibly, protects personal information, exercises appropriate discretion, and respects others. Whether you are sending email, participating in online discussions, or posting to social media, practicing good digital citizenship makes life online safer and more pleasant for yourself and others. Always Expect Respect.
Respect & Protect Yourself
- Use appropriate security measures, such as spam filters, anti-virus software, and secure browser settings.
- Don't over share online. Protect your privacy. Assume anything you share can and will be seen, and possibly shared, by others.
- See Protect Yourself and Protect Privacy for tips and information about IT security and privacy.
Respect Others
- Follow applicable responsible-use policies, for example:
- Expect Respect. Help create and maintain a respectful and inclusive environment for everyone at U-M. Give it. Get it. Expect Respect.
- Treat others the way you want to be treated. Even better, treat them the way they want to be treated.
- Respect others' personal information and privacy. Make sure you have permission to download or reshare other people's information or works before you do so.
Report Incidents, Get Help
- Campus Climate Support. Professional staff members provide Campus Climate Support (CCS) and focus on addressing concerns that may create harm to members of the University community based on their identity.
- Expect Respect: Report an Incident. If you witness or experience conduct that discriminates, stereotypes, excludes, harasses, or harms anyone in the U-M community, please report it. There are online, phone, and in-person reporting options.
- Harassment and Discrimination Reporting Form. U-M Human Resources form for reporting harassment and discrimination. Can be used by faculty, staff, students, and others.
- IT User Advocate. Works with the University of Michigan community to ensure that U-M information technology policies and guidelines are followed and responds to reports of abuse and misuse of U-M IT resources.
- Ombuds Office. A place where student questions, complaints, and concerns about the functioning of the university can be discussed confidentially in a safe environment.
Resources
At U-M
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The U-M office responsible for promoting and maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Social Integrity. The information and resources you need to be social with integrity. Know and protect your rights as a digital citizen and proactively create a more positive and civil online environment.
Elsewhere
- Be Internet Awesome. Google's program to help educate parents and kids about safe and healthy internet behavior.
- Connect Safely. A variety of resources for learning good online behavior and managing your digital footprint.
- Cyberbullying. Information from the Federal Trade Commission.
- Family Online Safety Institute. An organization dedicated to making the online world safer for kids and families.
- Internet Citizen from Mozilla. Resources to help everyone be a better digital citizen.
- iKeepSafe.org for kids. Fun lessons featuring Faux Paw the Techno Cat on digital safety and balancing screen time with real life.
- Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL)
- Regional Educational Media Center Association of Michigan (REMC)
- StopBullying.gov
- 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship. Printable poster describing the elements of good digital citizenship.
- 11 Tips For Students To Manage Their Digital Footprints