[AUDIO LOGO] DAVID EMM: Ethical considerations for communicating on the internet. The internet allows people to continuously exchange information with each other. They can send each other photographs, videos, voice and text messages, and they can leave comments on posts on social networking sites. But the internet is a public space, and from the beginning, one of its main purposes was to create an open source of information open to everyone. That means, as in real life, that you need to be careful about what you say about another person online. 

As a teacher, pay careful attention to what you post on social media and what you repost from other people's accounts. Pay attention to which posts you like. Of course, freedom of expression shouldn't be limited, but you should remember that your students can see which publications you've liked. This is particularly important for content related to profanity, alcohol, or other material meant only for those who are older than 18. 

Your work email is an account meant to be used specifically in connection with your professional life. You're representing the organization you work for. So if you're corresponding via this account, you should remember the following. 

Always specify the subject of the message. It should relate specifically to the content so that you and your colleagues can easily locate it later. If there are other recipients of the message in the To or CC or BCC lines, then be sure to use Reply All. That way, all participants in the conversation will receive the follow-up message and will be aware of the reply. 

Remember to sign your messages with a signature that indicates your position, the name of the company you work for, and the website. And you can also add mobile telephone number and links to social media if you wish. You can even create several automatic signatures for different situations. 

Don't use your work email to register for different store promotions or for any other personal business not connected with your work. If you're checking your email via the web on someone else's computer-- for example, in a computer class at school, then don't forget to log out of your account. And finally, try not to delay your response to messages that you receive. 

Here are some of the things you should remind your students about concerning communication on the internet. When participating in a conversation on social networks with another user, remember that you're interacting with a person. Your words may be hurtful, so try not to offend or bully other users. 

Follow the same standards of respect when communicating on the internet as you do in the real world. And be grateful to those who take the time to answer your questions. 

If students encounter cyberbullying, they should adhere to the following advice. Don't reply to messages from users who are bullying you. This is often exactly what they want you to do. Block offenders using the special function designed specifically for this. And finally, contact administrators of the sites. In some situations, they can move the messages made by the offender as well as block them from posting further messages. 

While cyberbullying may occur online, it has consequences in the real world. It can lead to a decline in social activity, depression, sleep disruption, decreased academic performance in students, or worse. That's why it's so important to act quickly against any instances of cyberbullying. 

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