Censorship, Privacy, Copyright and Fraud
Censorship
First Amendment Cyber Tribune This Web page contains numerous links to sites pertaining to issues such as academic freedom, Internet filtering systems, and state laws. For instance, on this site I learned that Illinois House Bill 2558 (introduced on January 27, 1998) criminalizes the transmission of harmful material to minors. An article included on this site discussed Internet censorship. It questions that use of filtering software in schools and libraries. Since they are public institutions, discussion is raised about the legal and philosophical difference between installing the software in libraries and school and parents using the software on a home computer. Filtering and blocking software in public institutions raise the question about who is responsible for the de-selection of material. Such action raises the issues of freedom of speech/freedom to read issues in a constitutional context, rights and responsibilities of children, and what is appropriate/not appropriate. For instance some filtering programs will block the word "breast" and therefore block information about breast cancer. The list of potentially banned information is nearly endless. Ironically, this information can be found on the shelves in the library, but is prohibited from the Internet when filtering software is used.
Privacy
Platform for Privacy Project P3P is a privacy assistant: users can be informed, in control, and use P3P to simplify and help them make decisions based on their individual privacy preferences. The P3P specification will enable Web sites to express their privacy practices and users to exercise preferences over them. It has been designed to promote privacy and trust, and enable individuals to make informed decisions about the collection and use of their personal information. It states that users should be given the ability to make meaningful choices about the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. Users should retain control over their personal information and decide the conditions under which they will share it.
Computers, Freedom, and Privacy Steve Cisler has included on this site summaries of convention sessions and the key note speakers addresses. In dealing with privacy he mentions that if you have access, you can't have privacy. The right to be left alone takes away the 'right' for other people.
Copyright
Copyright in the New World of Electronic Publishing "Electronic publishing" includes not only on-line publishing but also CD-ROM and related technology. CD-ROM and other technologies are more like classic publishing than on-line publishing. They involve the physical transfer from the publisher to the reader of a tangible thing in which the published work is contained. The packaging gives the publisher an opportunity to give the reader/buyer messages concerning quality and reliability. On-line publishing creates the opportunity for the publisher, the reader, and the author to be in constant dialog. The opportunity for learning about the customer base, getting feedback from readers, and for improving the product without having to wait years for the inventory of the first printing to be sold out is very beneficial. An analogy that the author of this page makes is, "Chicken Littles say that the sky is falling on the copyright owners". The author disagrees with the statement. Copyright is a serious issue in the digital world.
Ten Myths About Copyright Explained This is the Web site of Brad Templeton. He has designed a page that discuss some common misconceptions about copyright. He states that almost all things are copyrighted the moment they are written, and no copyright notice is required. Copyright is still violated whether you charged money or not. A statement he makes in his article says that posting e-mail is technically a violation of the copyright law, but revealing facts from e-mail that you received is not. The myths he listed in his article are:
- 1. "If it doesn't have a copyright notice, it's not copyrighted."
- 2. "If I don't charge for it, it's not a violation."
- 3. "If it is posted Usenet, it's in the public domain."
- 4. "My posting was just fair use."
- 5. "If you don't defend your copyright you lose it."
- 6. "If you use characters from someone else's work, you need the author's permission."
- 7. "They can't get me, defendants in court have powerful rights."
- 8."Oh, so copyright violation isn't a crime or anything."
- 9. "It doesn't hurt anybody--in fact it's free advertising."
- 10. "They e-mailed me a copy, so I can post it."
- 11. "So I can't ever reproduce anything"
Fraud on the Web
The National Fraud Information Center The Internet Fraud Watch was launched from this site in March of 1996. It enables consumers to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent promotions in cyberspace and route reports of suspected fraud to law enforcement agencies. This Web site provides tips, articles, bulletins and other information on how to avoid fraud, protect privacy, and navigate the Net safely. I found this site to be quite informative. Using the "subject index", I chose to read articles about identity theft and scamming. "Identity Theft is On the Rise" gave information about how criminals are using the Internet to steal someone's identity and open credit count accounts. The article gave tips of how to avoid falling prey to such theft. "Going Once, Going Twice, Scammed" is an article concerning Internet "auction houses". These sites allow one person to list an item for sale while others bid on it. The sell and the high bidder are given each other's contact information by the site and it's up to them to arrange for payment and delivery. The article cites a legal case against an auction seller who never sent the buyer the merchandise or a refund. Tips for online bidders are included.
USA Today: Consumer Group Warns of Internet Fraud The Associated Press ran an article in a September 11, 1997 issue of USA Today pertaining to Internet fraud. According to the article, the Internet Fraud Watch receives nearly 100 complaints each month, compared to 389 complaints for all of 1996. They range in size form $10 to $10,000. The president of the league is quoted as saying, "Cybercrooks are in you pocketbooks with the click of a mouse." The most commonly reported Internet fraud cases involve undelivered Internet and online services; damaged, defective, misrepresented or undelivered merchandise; auction sales; pyramid marketing; work-at-home schemes; prizes and sweepstakes; credit card offers; books and self-help guides; and magazine subscriptions. The article listed common signs of potential fraud to watch for, including: extravagant promises of profit, guarantees of credit regardless of bad credit history, suspiciously low prices, or prizes that require upfront payments.
Addressing These Issues with Students
Schools have a significant responsibility with regard to these issues. Through modeling adherence to such legal and ethical issues as censorship, copyright, security, and fraud and through direct instruction, schools can teach students to respect the intellectual property of others. The ease with which the technology allows certain actions contributes to misuse of its capabilities.
I feel that creating carefully chosen bookmarks for my students to use on the Internet is the most effective way to approach these issues with my students. I only see students for music instruction twice a week for thirty minutes each session. Going in-depth on most of these issues would confuse most of the elementary students I teach. I feel, however, that my students need to be aware of these issues. I plan on forwarding information about these topics on the the classroom teachers in my building. The classroom teachers have much more instructional time with the students. Both of the building I teach in are being wired this summer for Internet, e-mail, data sharing, and other network capabilities. This will give the students much easier access to the Internet. I am going to suggest to the computer trainer assigned to our building to conduct an inservice on this topic with our teachers. Many of them have not used the Internet and with the network connection being installed in each classroom this summer, there could be an eagerness to begin surfing without having the proper tools or training to do so. I will share with the computer trainer the information that I have learned through this assignment.
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Updated: June 19, 1998