Blog 3: Young People, Ethics, and the New Digital Era

For my Module 3 Blog, I would like to focus on a report that I read entitled “Young People, Ethics, and the New Digital Era – A Synthesis from the GoodPlay Project.”  This report focuses on a topic that is relevant to our studies in this course.  Although it was written in 2009, it was forward-thinking and addressed many topics still relevant to the digital age today, specifically focusing on young people.  It addresses social media, the Internet, and various means of online communication causing ethical risks and concerns to today’s youth. Although they are digital natives (Prensky, 2001) and savvy when it comes to social media and digital media as a form of literacy, they are exposed to many risks that they are potentially unaware of. Prensky states that “Our students today are all “native speakers” of the digital language of computers, video games and the Internet” (Prensky, 2001). 

This report discusses a project called GoodPlay. Based on the article, ”The goals of the GoodPlay Project are twofold—(1) to investigate the ethical contours of the new digital media and (2) to create interventions to promote ethical thinking and, ideally, conduct” (James, 2009).  The report also focuses on what they consider key issues.  “We argue that five key issues are at stake in the new media—identity, privacy, ownership and authorship, credibility, and participation” (James, 2009). These key issues are concerns for everyone today – not just youth, although I would consider them to be more susceptible to these and other risks.

The report defines GoodPlay as “online conduct that is meaningful and engaging to the participant and is responsible to others in the community and society in which it is carried out. We argue that the new digital media, with all their participatory potentials, are a playground in which five factors contribute to the likelihood of good play—the technologies of the new digital media; related technical and new media literacies; person-centered factors, such as cognitive and moral development, beliefs, and values; peer cultures, both online and offline; and ethical supports, including the presence or absence of adult mentors and educational curricula” (James, 2009). 

Kids are taught right from wrong by their parents, teachers, and others in their lives.  The responsibility that comes from using the Internet or social media requires its own set of rights and wrongs.  In addition to protecting themselves and their personal identity, kids need to understand how to use the Internet in a safe and ethical manner.  Cyberbullying is a great example.  Kids are taught not to bully their peers, but cyberbullying opens up so many other vulnerabilities that they need to be made aware of. Through the use of smartphones, tablets, computers and various gaming systems, today’s kids are constantly exposed. Through online networking, email, and text they are sharing information, pictures, and attachments to name a few.  They need to understand what is considered ethical behavior and what is not, so that they can protect themselves and also learn right from wrong.

Internet in the classroom is another interesting area related to our youth. The Internet offers great opportunities for learning but at the same time, exposes the student and the school to risks if not properly managed.  Below is a chart included in this study called The Ethics of Play (James, 2009). I thought it was worth sharing. The author states that “Our research and reflection have shown us that the ethical stances of young people are shaped by how they manage their identities and privacy, regard ownership and authorship, establish their credibility, treat others, and consider broader civic issues as they participate in online spaces. Five key sets of factors are implicated in these ethical stances (see figure 1)” (James, 2009).

As I read and learned more about this topic, I learned more about Henry Jenkins and the role he plays in regards to young people related to new media.  He has a weblog, with a lot of great information and interviews on this topic as well as many others. The URL is:

http://henryjenkins.org/

References

James, Carrie. 2009. Young People, Ethics, and the New Digital Era – A Synthesis from the GoodPlay Project. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Reports on Digital Media and Learning. Retrieved July 9, 2015. https://mitpress.mit.edu/sites/default/files/titles/free_download/9780262513630_Young_People_Ethics_and_New_Digital_Media.pdf

Prensky, Marc. 2001. Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. Retrieved July 9, 2015. http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf