Addiction
is the physical and mental craving for something that develops
in to a dependency despite causing physical, psychological
or social harm. Addiction is long term in nature and progressive.1
Both substances and behaviors are considered addictive.
Addictive substances include legal and illegal drugs, alcohol,
and tobacco.
Addictive
behaviors include gambling, sexual activities, eating disorders,
Internet or online activities. The online activities would
include cybersex addition, online gaming, online shopping,
online gambling and “childhood Internet addiction.”2
For definitions of these behaviors click on this Web site
link http://www.netaddiction.com/whatis.htm
.
Plagiarism is the most common concern for teachers when
it comes to cyber-cheating. Plagiarism can occur simply
because a student does not know how to cite an Internet
source, or it can occur when a student purchases a ready
made paper online. Not all blatant plagiarism is from purchasing
a paper, often students work in groups using email to exchange
sections of a paper so that only a small percentage is original.
There are, unfortunately, many creative ways for students
to cheat. Text messaging each other during a test is one
example. Taking pictures of the test with a cell phone to
pass on or sell to other students is another example. Programmable
calculators offer an additional way to store information
and share information. PDA’s that are equipped with
an infrared port are capable of transferring data back and
forth in line-of-site. Watches, that are capable of storing
information, can be used to cheat as well.
Cyberbullying
is similar to the traditional schoolyard bully except that
it uses technology to deliver its message to the victim.
Ugly, threatening, hateful, harassing, defamatory and/or
humiliating messages and images are delivered using e-mail,
cell phone text messaging, instant messaging, chat rooms
and personal Web sites. The messages may take the form of
a cruel joke, mean spirited gossip, or embarrassing personal
information.
Disinhibition
plays a part in cyberbullying. Because technology separates
the bully from the victim, the effects of the bullying are
not witnessed and thus more damage than was intended may
occur. Technology fosters an illusionary sense of anonymity
that allows bullies to go far beyond what they would normally
do or say in a face-to-face situation.
Introduction:
Internet Disinhibition is a term that describes behavior
that can occur in computer-facilitated communications, such
as email, chat rooms or instant messaging. Disinhibition
simply means that the normal behavioral restraints are lost
or disregarded. It may appear as a lack of regard for self
or others.1Examples are rude and offensive language,
revealing too much personal information, or visiting sites
that are inappropriate.2
Perceived
Causes:
Anonymity
is a contributing cause to Internet Disinhibition. If an
individual feels that he or she cannot be seen, it emboldens
them to go where they might not normally go. If they feel
that no one knows who they are they can say what they might
not normally say. Social order is effectively leveled, for
example, a CEO may be conversing with an out of work truck
driver and neither be aware of anything except an exchange
of ideas.3 Anonymity is not necessarily the sole
cause of Disinhibition. It is thought that participants
in new social settings, such as chat rooms, look to others
for social cues for acceptable forms of behavior. If the
normal behavior consists of rude and profane language, that
is then perceived as the correct form of behavior. Another
contributing factor can be the less developed people skills
of the younger users, which can lead to misinterpretation
of the opinions of other individuals and rash responses.
Finally, when the usual social cues (facial features, and
tone of voice) are missing from the context of communication,
it may cause misinterpretation of the meaning of the dialog.2
Forms
of Internet Disinhibition: Flaming:
Flaming
is the deliberate use of hostile or insulting statements.
A communication is a flame if the intent is for no constructive
purpose at all.4
Self-Disclosure:
There is a tendency for individuals to give
out too much information about themselves while chatting
with unknown individuals. It is thought that this may be
a way of giving more context to a person’s statements,
compensating for the lack of information available2.
The
Internet is an ideal environment for predators. It is easy
for an individual to misrepresent him or herself and engage
in conversations that know no limits on topic or vocabulary.
Combine this with a child’s tendency to engage in
excessive self-disclosure and the stage is set for a predator.
Predators use this environment to groom the victim for an
eventual sexual encounter2.
Browsing the dark side:
On the Internet you can go anywhere
and look at anything. This can be good if you are attempting
to find information about a medical problem that is embarrassing
to ask about. However, there is a tremendous amount of material
that is hateful, inappropriate, violent, or even illegal.
There are Web sites devoted to racial hatred, with the added
danger of these sites attempting recruitment of individuals
online. There are pro-anorexia sites that encourage eating
disorders. Religious cults are well represented on the Internet.
There is a preponderance of porn sites devoted to every
conceivable sexual fantasy, enough so that the sheer number
might indicate that their topic is a normal occurrence2.
Inappropriate materials such as legal weapons, alcohol and
tobacco are available online. Illegal porn, weapons and
drugs are also available. Someone that would never consider
entering, or that would not be allowed in, an x-rated shop
can browse online with apparent impunity.
Solutions:
Flaming:
The best hope for avoiding a great deal of unpleasantness
is the wholesale adoption of Netiquette2. Netiquette
is a code of conduct for online behavior. The rules are
generally straightforward. A very brief look at the rules
would include: Do NOT type in all capital letters as it
is considered shouting. Do not send spam. Be respectful
of others. Only post on topics you know something about.
Read posts for a month or so before you post for the first
time in order to understand the discussion nuances. Do not
send unwanted emails, spam. To read a comprehensive list
of Netiquette go to this site Netiquette
Home Page or to this site rfc1855.
Self-Disclosure
and browsing the dark side:
The
best way to prevent these behaviors is education. Children,
and even adults, should understand how easy it is to give
away too much information on the Internet and how dangerous
that can be. The dark side of the Internet can be tempting
to many youth as it is a place they know they should not
go. Children need to develop a strong foundation and set
of principles that will help them make intelligent decisions
as to what they do and where they go. See our page Parent
Tips for ideas. Our Parents
Resources Page has information about filtering for a
technology solution.
The
Internet allows anyone with the ability to use a credit
card access to almost anything they want to purchase. With
a credit card (merely the number and expiration date) you
can buy your way into porn sites, including both legal adult
porn and illegal child porn. Sexual paraphernalia is easier
to buy on line than it would be to actually enter that type
of establishment. Alcohol is available as are cigarettes.
How can they possible verify the age of the customer? Guns
and gun parts can be easily found. Auction houses carry
various types of weapons such as throwing stars, axes, swords,
and martial arts weapons.
