Lesson 5: RESPONSIBLE USE OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION

At the present time, people are gathering information through media and technology. We can easily
access information from various sources all over the Internet by simply searching keywords and clicking
on it. This can be used to our advantage—for personal development and professional growth. It does,
however, cause major issues too.
How can we be a responsible media information user?
1. Be aware of emotions
- Once you have sent it, there is no way to get the message back. Take time to reflect on
your feelings before anything that you may regret; after all, no one wants to be “Internet famous”
for the wrong thing.
2. Don’t Plagiarize
- Taking writing from an outside source without giving proper credit is a form of plagiarism.
3. Know your sources
- The use of sources in your work is one way of supporting your arguments. This means that
the sources you use as part of your list of references needs to be reliable and accurate.
4. Avoid sharing personal details
- There are people online who would like to take advantage of your trust. Do not publish
personal information. Social media posts cannot be completely deleted, and all information posted
has its unintended consequences. Be responsible of what you share, post and like on social media.
Never share your phone number and address.
5. Be mindful of the rules
- Whenever you are using Facebook, YouTube, and other social media sites, know their
rules. Each of them has its rules for the users to follow.

 CMC (Computer-Mediated Communication)

- According to Simpson (2002), it is a paraglider term referring to human communication through
computers.
o Synchronous CMC - where contact takes place in real time
Examples: text-based online chat, computer, audio and video conferencing
o Asynchronous CMC - where participants are not actually simultaneously online.
Examples: email, discussion forums and mailing lists

Lesson 5: RESPONSIBLE USE OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION

At the present time, people are gathering information through media and technology. We can easily
access information from various sources all over the Internet by simply searching keywords and clicking
on it. This can be used to our advantage—for personal development and professional growth. It does,
however, cause major issues too.
How can we be a responsible media information user?
1. Be aware of emotions
- Once you have sent it, there is no way to get the message back. Take time to reflect on
your feelings before anything that you may regret; after all, no one wants to be “Internet famous”
for the wrong thing.
2. Don’t Plagiarize
- Taking writing from an outside source without giving proper credit is a form of plagiarism.
3. Know your sources
- The use of sources in your work is one way of supporting your arguments. This means that
the sources you use as part of your list of references needs to be reliable and accurate.
4. Avoid sharing personal details
- There are people online who would like to take advantage of your trust. Do not publish
personal information. Social media posts cannot be completely deleted, and all information posted
has its unintended consequences. Be responsible of what you share, post and like on social media.
Never share your phone number and address.
5. Be mindful of the rules
- Whenever you are using Facebook, YouTube, and other social media sites, know their
rules. Each of them has its rules for the users to follow.

 CMC (Computer-Mediated Communication)

- According to Simpson (2002), it is a paraglider term referring to human communication through
computers.
o Synchronous CMC - where contact takes place in real time
Examples: text-based online chat, computer, audio and video conferencing
o Asynchronous CMC - where participants are not actually simultaneously online.
Examples: email, discussion forums and mailing lists
In dealing with computer-mediated communication always remember the following:
 Some contexts of computer-mediated communication, like comments on blogs or social media,
wikis, electronic discussion groups, and instant messaging, are public. You should, therefore, conduct
yourself as you would in public.
 Do not type in all capital letters, unless the emphasis is called for, as in emergencies. All-caps
messages are considered rude.
 Do not send annoying and offensive emails or messages.
 Do not gossip or spread negative messages about others. These malicious messages can easily be
forwarded to the persons being maligned.
 Do not send attachments if you are not sure what they contain; they might contain viruses or
malwares.
 Do not forward messages that you have not read, unless indicated so.
 Do not send official school or company email addresses to send messages that would compromise
the name of the school or the company.
 Do not send very large unsolicited files via email, unless necessary.
 Put brief and descriptive words on the subject field of an email to help the recipient identify the
importance of the message.
 Write at least a short note on the body of the email, even when sending official letters as
attachments.
 Be professional and personable in your CMCs, especially if they are work or school related.

In dealing with computer-mediated communication always remember the following:

 Some contexts of computer-mediated communication, like comments on blogs or social media,
wikis, electronic discussion groups, and instant messaging, are public. You should, therefore, conduct
yourself as you would in public.
 Do not type in all capital letters, unless the emphasis is called for, as in emergencies. All-caps
messages are considered rude.
 Do not send annoying and offensive emails or messages.
 Do not gossip or spread negative messages about others. These malicious messages can easily be
forwarded to the persons being maligned.
 Do not send attachments if you are not sure what they contain; they might contain viruses or
malwares.
 Do not forward messages that you have not read, unless indicated so.
 Do not send official school or company email addresses to send messages that would compromise
the name of the school or the company.
 Do not send very large unsolicited files via email, unless necessary.
 Put brief and descriptive words on the subject field of an email to help the recipient identify the
importance of the message.
 Write at least a short note on the body of the email, even when sending official letters as
attachments.
 Be professional and personable in your CMCs, especially if they are work or school related.

The students will take the Pre-Test.

Direction: Determine the characteristics of responsible media and information users. Place a (✔) mark on the line if you think the statement
describes a responsible user and place an (✘) mark on the line if you think the statement does not.

_✔_1. A responsible user considers about social consequences before posting on different media platforms.

_✘_2. A responsible user posts and shares unverified news articles.

_✔_3. A responsible user posts relevant information for the benefit of all.

_✘_4. A responsible user plagiarizes one’s authorship.

_✔_5. A responsible user should not intend to harm somebody using media.