Digital Media Guide

Unfortunately, we live in a world where some people spread lies and manipulate the truth. Fake news is not new, but in the digital world in breaking or live news situations, false headlines and social media comments can go viral (spread like wildfire). In a study published by the journal Science, millions of tweets from 2006-2017 were analyzed and the conclusion was drawn that lies – or fake news – spread much faster than the truth. It’s important to be able to spot fake news, and use critical thinking to make sensible judgements on the information you find online.&nbsp;

Here’s a real example of fake news from 2014. The title is designed to make you click on it as it is alarmist and the article has no references or sources. It was used to drive traffic to a fake news website. It was shared over 300,000 times. From www.idea.org.uk

Clickbait describes stories which use sensationalist headlines to make people visit a website, usually to generate more advertising revenue. Sometimes they can take people to fake websites which contain malware. They are often completely made up. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Some clickbait is harmless and genuine, but others pose dangers we should be aware of. Here is an example of a clickbait article. You can see how the headline is alarmist and isn’t fully complete, making it more tempting to click. From www.idea.org.uk

Downloading a playlist and playing music offline.

<a href="https://quizlet.com/_6qevcr?x=1jqt&amp;i=wal0h">Quizlet cards</a>

The written word can be more easily misinterpreted than words in a conversation because there aren’t the extra clues about meaning which are available from face-to-face interaction. For example, we can see if someone is smiling their words are meant as a joke. Also, once you post anything, whether it is written or an image, it is there forever, so it pays to be careful before you post or share anything online.

Be cautious when apps request access to your data e.g. they ask permission to access your photos or your microphone or to use your location. Think about whether the app is well known (e.g. Facebook and WhatsApp are worldwide and trusted) and whether it needs access to the information it is asking for.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Only download files, software and apps from trusted sources. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Back up the information stored on your computer regularly, in the cloud or on a separate storage device and keep it in a safe and secure place. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Beware of unusual looking messages even from someone you know.&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Don't click on links or open attachments that look suspicious or are from an unknown source. Think twice before clicking. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Don’t forget to use strong passwords on all your accounts. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If you spot a suspicious process on your computer, turn off the Internet connection straight away. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Make sure your Wifi is password protected. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Switch off unused wireless connections, such as Bluetooth or infrared ports.

5. Try to avoid using your social media accounts in "public hotspots". Most social networking sites don’t have a secure login (you can tell if they do because there will be the letters "https" at the start of the link to the site). If you use a public hotspot, your username and password could be stolen by criminals who use these to steal data which is not secure. 6. Be very careful about what you click. Hackers will often post links in comments to try and trick you into clicking them. Only click when you see trusted sources. 7.&nbsp;Be careful of third-party apps. Games, quizzes and polls are often used across social networking websites, but by signing up to these you may be giving the companies who run them permission to access your information or profile. Over the next few pages we will look at some of these tips in more detail.

Sometimes you’ll come across situations online that are stressful to deal with, such as online bullying (cyberbullying) or internet trolls.

Guidelines for dealing with someone who is being unkind, rude, threatening or abusive online: ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Don’t keep it a secret. Talk to someone you trust about the situation. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Find a way to avoid conflict. Sometimes it is better not to reply or to get into an argument. Bullies are often just looking for a reaction, so not giving them one may discourage them. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unfriend/block them and report them. &nbsp;If someone who is being bullied asks you to help them, reassure them that you are there to support them so they do not feel alone. Help them keep a record of what is happening and report it. If you’re worried about their safety, tell someone immediately.

'Adult Literacy and BTEI&nbsp;&nbsp;programmes are co-funded by the Government of Ireland, the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020

Copyright is a legal right that gives the creator of an original work exclusive rights for its use and distribution. Copyright stops others from using creative work without the permission of the creator.&nbsp; Infringement of copyright may result in damages, lawsuits, costly legal fees and under some rare circumstances, criminal charges. Copyright can cover work such as books, poems, artwork, photos and music. Creative work does not have to be published, registered, or have a copyright symbol – protection is free and automatic.

Fake News Another negative aspect of social networking sites is how rumours and lies can be spread quickly. People see posts and tweets and instantly share them if they relate to a topic they care about it. People often get into conversations online expressing opinions relating to things they do not know to be definitely true. Rumours and falsehoods can make situations worse and cause distress, heartache and even international incidents. Be careful before you post or share anything just in case you accidentally contribute to a problematic situation.

It’s tempting to use words that you find easy to remember like your friends and family’s names, but a better method for setting passwords is to use phrases. Use a mixture of upper and lower case, numbers and special characters (eg ?!). To be extra safe, a lot of sites offer some form of two-step authentication, which requires you to prove your identity using both a password and a second step, such as a text sent to your phone.

As well as having a strong password, you must keep it safe. Thieves employ what are called phishing scams to try and steal your login details and information through fake emails and websites. They send messages or emails which try to fool you into handing over your details. &nbsp;

Every account you have online from Facebook to Netflix, requires a password to access it. This keeps your content and information safe.

It is important to choose a different, strong password for each account. Make sure you also set a passcode to access your phone, tablet and computer. Criminal hackers try to either break into your account or steal your password. They can use a system which repeatedly tries different combinations of letters and numbers until it cracks your password. A strong password uses a mixture of uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special characters and is not easy to guess. Don’t use the same password more than once.

Digital Media – the good, the bad and the ugly!

Advantages -Quick, cheap and easy way to stay in contact with family, friends and work -Digital media is mobile – you can play games, watch films or videos, read e-books or listen to music whenever and wherever you like -Large memory - music files, movie files, photos and documents can be stored on digital media devices or in the Cloud -Can create and share content (bearing in mind copyright laws)

If the election does not go your way, it can be much more difficult to understand why because you haven’t heard opposing views. It's important to always find your information from as many good sources as possible to build the most accurate picture of news and events as possible. When you do this you are better able to critically assess a topic and see genuine concerns and views from all sides of the debate. In 2017 after Storm Harvey devastated Texas in the USA, a social media post was shared more than 126,000 times claiming a Canadian imam refused shelter in his Mosque to Christian victims. The post was untrue, and the imam pointed out he had never even been to Texas. This type of misinformation is designed to divide people. During Hurricane Irma, the wrong weather forecast of the storm was viewed 28 million times on Facebook, leaving people vulnerable to incorrect advice. This type of incident can be dangerous in many ways, giving people incorrect information.1. False information leaves you vulnerable to manipulation in many areas from politics to crime. In extreme cases, false information can be used as a starting place to help groom vulnerable people so that they are exploited. While some of the examples are extreme, facts are crucial to critical thinking. 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-42487425)

Can I download and use photos from the internet?

Copyright is automatically granted to the creator of any image. That copyright holder must specifically declare the image as free to use. Therefore, when in doubt, assume it’s subject to copyright and don’t use it without the appropriate permission. To get images you are allowed to use from a Google search click on: ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;images ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;search tools ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;usage rights ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;labelled for reuse Only use the main image from this search as the related images (the smaller images displayed on the right- hand side) may not be free. There are many websites which provide access to free (or low cost) images you can legally use. (eg Unsplash, or Pixabay).

Digital Media: <a href="bookcreator://page/u51iXLAoSVGx5vdwcOdJGg">What is Digital Media?&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="bookcreator://page/JYpMrCtSSq-xHzOvoASe4g">Advantages and Disadvantages</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/yIRSJ7b4Rl6hiQ4bUco0xg">Social Networking and Netiquette</a> Keeping Safe: <a href="bookcreator://page/p9xbbGdQRRyAO6ncFmk4mQ">General tips for using digital media safely</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/MPdUAABdQxOKL44q-QMAfQ">Addiction</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/IWySm9LUQC61J4CoTl2jMg">Passwords</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/e-kg_41VSd6d9gUFwTwqaA">Phishing</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/ORpWViWuTACNu3T59D__CA">Privacy settings</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/bn3FdJcFTSuj4mn2uS7cBw">Malware/viruses</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/AbcKPTMiRmu_6t2Du54neg">Cyberbullying</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/FV9hDI47S9G4GzsVP0HF5w">Fake news</a>

Disadvantages -Devices can be expensive to buy -Devices are upgraded often and can become out of date very quickly -Can cause inconvenience or security issues if devices or information is lost or stolen -Some devices need good WiFi or a data package -Can lead to unwanted contact or abuse/bullying -Can be difficult to tell the difference between good, reliable news sources and fake or misleading information -Can become an addiction (See page 15 for more info)&nbsp;

Digital Media can be addictive

&nbsp; Mobile phone app notifications are one example of how digital media can be addictive. They make people constantly check their phone. Scientists have found that we behave in a similar way when checking our phones as someone playing slot machines. It’s addictive! When we get a new notification, it can feel good, when we don’t, it doesn’t. For some people, a large amount of notifications, emails and texts can be a source of stress. This can cause people to be distracted and not aware of their surroundings.

Here is an example of a ‘phishing’ email:

The blue link in this email is suspicious because it is an IP address and not the type of website address you would expect a bank to have. This is often the first sign of an internet scam. You should also look at the email address a message was sent from and for any spelling mistakes. These are other signs a message is not genuine. When logging into a site, always check for the secure lock in your web browser as an added security measure. This way you can be more certain that you are logging into a genuine service.&nbsp;

When you use social media, it's like sharing with the world who you are and what you like.&nbsp;Never assume that your privacy will be respected by people on the internet. Only post and share things you are happy to be made public. You can keep things as private as possible by using privacy settings wisely and by being very careful about information you share on social media. Always check your privacy settings and location settings on your mobile devices – your photographs may be automatically uploading to the Internet. Make sure you forbid access to information that does not need to be shared. Personal information such as your address, date of birth, telephone number and email address should never be shared publicly.

This is a resource for the QQI Level 3 Digital Media Module compiled from the following sources: <a href="https://www.cai.ie/">www.cai.ie</a> (Copyright Association of Ireland)&nbsp; <a href="http://www.citizensinformation.ie/">www.citizensinformation.ie</a> <a href="https://www.europol.europa.eu/activities-services/public-awareness-and-prevention-guides/tips-advice-to-prevent-ransomware-infecting-your-electronic-devices">https://www.europol.europa.eu/activities-services/public-awareness-and-prevention-guides/tips-advice-to-prevent-ransomware-infecting-your-electronic-devices</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/08/drm-product-labelling-ftc-electronic-frontier-foundation">https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/08/drm-product-labelling-ftc-electronic-frontier-foundation</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2014/feb/05/digital-rights-management">https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2014/feb/05/digital-rights-management</a> <a href="https://www.gcflearnfree.org/internetsafety/how-to-avoid-malware/1/">https://www.gcflearnfree.org/internetsafety/how-to-avoid-malware/1/</a> <a href="https://idea.org.uk/">https://idea.org.uk&nbsp;</a> <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/apple-fairplay-drm-limits-for-intunes-songs-2438179">https://www.lifewire.com/apple-fairplay-drm-limits-for-intunes-songs-2438179</a> <a href="https://www.locklizard.com/Papers/Introduction_to_Digital_Rights_Management.pdf">https://www.locklizard.com/Papers/Introduction_to_Digital_Rights_Management.pdf</a> <a href="https://sarafhawkins.com/copyright-online-photo-etiquette/">https://sarafhawkins.com/copyright-online-photo-etiquette/</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management</a>&nbsp;

Netiquette is a set of agreed acceptable behaviour when communicating online. Some ‘Netiquette’ Guidelines: ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Think twice before hitting the send button. Never send anything online in haste or when you are not thinking clearly. Double check the content before you click the send button. Once it has been sent it is impossible to get it back.&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Remember what you say and do can be seen publicly and saved by anyone who sees it. This means it can be shared again and again forever. It is like a ‘digital tattoo.’ ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Make sure you have a person’s permission before sharing a photo of them with others.

As a rule, do not post anything online unless you are happy for ANYONE to potentially see it. This is the easiest way to stay smart online. &nbsp;

Privacy Settings of your posts and messages Think about who will see your message or photo when you post it on a site like Facebook. If you set the post ‘Public’ then it can be seen by anyone – whether they are your friend or not. If you set the post to ‘Friends,’ it means only your Facebook friends can see the post. Privacy settings make a big difference to the exposure of your posts. Every time you post something think, who would you be happy viewing it? Friends, future employers? &nbsp;

Social Network An online community of people with a common interest who use a website or social media platform e.g. Facebook, YouTube Instagram or Twitter. Troll A person who starts arguments or upsets people on the Internet by posting inflammatory or off-topic messages in an online community. Viral A post is said to be going viral if it is spreading fast over the internet. Virus A type of malware.

Acceptable Usage Policy A document that tell us what we can and can’t do on an organisation’s network and computers. Examples are policies for employees in a workplace or policies for students at a college. Copyright The right to prevent others from exploiting (e.g. using, selling or copying) creative work (e.g. books, photos, music, videos) without the permission of the creator. Although not necessary to protect it, sometimes creators put the copyright symbol © followed by the name of the author and the date of creation on their work to remind people that the work is protected and identify the person claiming the rights. Cyberbullying Bullying carried out on the internet and mobile phones through social networking sites, emails and texts.

What about getting music from the internet?

Some music files on the internet are copyrighted, some are not. Illegal: Downloading music files which are copyrighted that you do not hold the copyright to. This is illegal and you could face prosecution. Legal a.&nbsp;&nbsp;Downloading copyrighted songs, which have been made available by the artist for free download. The music should be intended for your personal use only. By downloading these types of music files, you agree to any restrictions there may be on the music. b.&nbsp;&nbsp;Downloading non-copyrighted songs, that are freely available. c.&nbsp;&nbsp;Downloading copyrighted music which you "own" (i.e. you have bought it). Videos It is illegal to download or share copyrighted videos without permission.

Here are some general tips for staying safe: 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;Make sure you set a strong, secure password for every account you have and a passcode to protect your device.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Don't feel you have to accept all social media 'friend' requests.&nbsp;If you don’t know the person, don’t accept their request - it could be a fake account, or it could be someone who means to cause you harm.

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Try to avoid publishing any personal information about yourself such as your date of birth, where you live, or your phone number. 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;Learn about the privacy policies of the social media apps you use and set the privacy settings to control who can see what.

<a href="https://app.nearpod.com/presentation?pin=DC555E3436260F91B0007C2921E414CF-1">Transferring 1 photo</a>

<a href="https://app.nearpod.com/presentation?pin=A1B7DB1F3BF73D8558E056018954EEE5-1">Transferring more than 1 photo</a>

Malware is short for malicious software.&nbsp;A virus is one example of malware. It is designed to get onto a computer system or mobile device without the owner’s consent to gain control over the device, steal information or damage the data. Malware is a threat for people and businesses. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Malware tips and advice &nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Install and keep antivirus and firewall software updated on your devices. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Keep your devices’ operating system and all software up to date. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid suspicious websites e.g. websites with pirated material. Look for the padlock symbol in the web address to check if a website is secure.

Work email accounts are not private and do not ‘belong’ to an employee. Employers may monitor and read emails sent&nbsp;and received by employees. (See www.citizensinformation.ie for employees' rights in this regard.) An employee may lose their job if an offensive or bullying email is sent to another employee. They may also receive formal warnings if they forward any such material, even if they didn’t compose it. The posting of defamatory/offensive remarks about fellow colleagues on social networking sites can lead to an employee losing their job. Also, employees should be careful of posting images of drunken parties, celebrations etc. on social networking sites as employers (rightly or wrongly) can view these images as behaviour not expected/accepted by them. Employers must provide workers with a clear and accurate statement of the policy around email and internet use, including the use of social media, in the workplace.

Phishing is the attempt to get sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details. Criminals send you emails or messages pretending to be banks or trustworthy companies.

If you get a text message from an unknown person, do not reply or click on a link. Scammers often use fake text messages to persuade you into following links or replying to messages that charge a high rate. Don't be fooled by a surprise win. These scams try to trick you into giving money or your personal information in order to receive a prize from a lottery or competition that you never entered. Services and companies such as banks will not ask you for your details by email. If you’re in any doubt, visit their website via your web browser (eg Google) and log in there. Never click on a link in an email. If you are in any doubt regarding whether an email is real you should contact the organisation you think it is representing by searching for their official support line online.

Social media connects you to people and organisations around the world. They might be your friends, family, people you admire, celebrities, politicians, influencers and anyone else you might be interested in. We often decide to follow the person or site who best describes our own opinion, or the closest thing to it. This is absolutely fine, but there is a danger to be aware of. Social media platforms are programmed to feed you information which they think you will like. By liking certain subjects and being friends only with likeminded people, you can end up in a bubble which shows you only what you already agree with. Why does this matter? Getting your news, opinions and views from a social media bubble leaves you vulnerable to biased media reporting and limits your ability to think critically. A good example may be that you only follow politicians or political commentators who align with your own political beliefs. If there is an election, this can put you in a position where you aren’t even hearing about the policies of other parties, even if you may well agree with them.

If you see something on a social media network that you would like to comment on or share, here are some questions you might need to consider before you post anything relating specifically to whether it might be fake news or not: Do I trust the person or the organisation that is sharing the news? Any good and decent publication will have fact-checked its own sources before publishing an article. Do I know the source of the news? Can I check the facts by searching online for various sources that back up the facts? If you can't find other sources, treat the news with a lot of caution. Has someone in authority confirmed the news? Check your biases – Who is this news aimed at? Are there opposing views online which may be useful to check to get a broader picture?

Many publishers and artists label their works as "DRM-free".&nbsp;For example, all music sold on Google Play is DRM free and Apple has been labelling all music as "DRM-Free" since January 2009. The music still&nbsp;carries a digital watermark to identify the purchaser. Other works sold on iTunes such as apps, audiobooks, movies, and TV shows continue to be protected by DRM. There can be legal implications for those that illegally download and distribute films, music or e-books. For example, in Ireland, some internet service providers can now threaten the user with court action and disconnection from their services if they continue to use illegal sites.

Keeping within the law: <a href="bookcreator://page/FJX_qvsDRNSbBOe3WkayAw">Copyright</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/vO76j46ZRySgm1JbQQq1vw">DRM</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/pfrLvY3STMug5iu4ch93ow">Acceptable Usage policies</a> Video lessons: <a href="bookcreator://page/hXDBkNyVT4S68R7G9TsHLA">Mobile phone</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/bOyZFNQHTs2iR4RU5qaILA">Transferring photos</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/5Vfhta15TMqOPpC3skvEnw">Spotify</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/WI2Or4YXTTifDJKoH2hI5A">Glossary</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/QulK6zKSR6eG5M4digUm-A">References</a>

Malware Malicious software designed to get onto a computer system or mobile device without the owner's consent to gain control over the device, steal valuable information or damage the data. Netiquette A set of agreed acceptable behaviour when communicating online. Phishing Trying to steal someone's private information and sensitive data by sending users messages or emails which try to fool them into handing over their details. Pirated Material Material used or reproduced without the permission of the owner.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Be very careful who you use exclamation marks (!!!) and emojis with. If it's people who don't know you very well this can sometimes cause irritation, annoyance or offence.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid typing in CAPITAL LETTERS as it can be read as SHOUTING or viewed as AGGRESSIVE, ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Don’t pretend to be someone other than yourself. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Avoid oversharing – it is potentially dangerous to share your daily routine, or, for example, holiday plans publicly. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nowadays it's common for employers and colleges to look at candidates' social media activity so be sure that anything you do on social media reflects well how you want the world to know you.

General Tips for using Digital Media Safely

We can use the internet to shop, play games, communicate and generally connect with the outside world. It can be a great place to explore but we all face risks like scams, identity theft, cyberbullying or seeing content that is not appropriate or wanted. Therefore, in the same way we take steps in our everyday lives to protect ourselves, our family and our homes, it is important we take steps when online to protect our devices, our privacy, our reputation and our information (data).

Acceptable Usage Policies

Acceptable usage policies tell us what we can and can’t do on an organisation’s network and computers. Examples are policies for employees in a workplace or policies for students at a college. Most policies prohibit: ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any illegal downloading of movies, music, software etc. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Installing unapproved software. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inappropriate behaviour when using electronic communication devices in the workplace. Examples of inappropriate behaviour: ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;cyberbullying - bullying carried out on the internet and mobile phones, through social networking sites, email and texts ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;downloading/distributing offending material Some policies may also prohibit: ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;reading/sending personal emails ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;using the internet for personal reasons ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;opening an email from an unknown source.

Digital media is communication by digital methods e.g. websites, social media sites such as Facebook, digital photos and videos, video games, e-books and digital music. Digital Rights Management (DRM) Any system that controls access to copyrighted material using technology (e.g. it can prevent someone from copying, printing or editing films, games, e-books or digital music files). Download To copy or transfer data from one computer system to another computer or to a device e.g. a mobile phone or tablet, typically over the internet. Firewall A system that helps screen out unauthorised people or software trying to reach your computer over the Internet.

Some examples of digital media devices are computers, mobile phones, tablets, e-readers (e.g. a Kindle), digital music devices (e.g. an MP3 player), video game consoles and storage devices, such as flash drives.

Google Maps may require your current location to run properly. You may want to use your microphone for voice searches. But you should be suspicious if a music app requested access to your photos. A single player game should never be granted access to your photos or any other irrelevant data such as contacts, calendar or location.

‘Media’ are different methods of communication. Traditionally this was by way of newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and billboards.

Digital media is communication by digital methods e.g. websites, social media sites such as Facebook, digital photos and videos, video games, e-books and digital music.

Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Copyrighted work such as photos, videos and music can be copied easily and for very little cost nowadays.&nbsp;Websites can share pirated films, music etc. with the whole world. DRM exists to try to stop the illegal copying and use of digital media files such as films, games, e-books and digital music files. One example of DRM are the product keys which are sometimes needed to play a video game. Some feel it is very important in this digital age for authors, composers and publishers to be able to use DRM to protect their work from being illegally copied. Others argue that trying to make digital files uncopiable is like "trying to make water not wet" and that it can prevent legitimate purchasers from making a backup copy of a song or video they own (which is perfectly legal so long as it is for their own use.)

Social Networking

A social networking site is an online platform that allows users to create a public profile and communicate with each other. Examples are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Remember that if you post or reply to a comment on a social networking site, you are publishing on the internet.

Name

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