Digital Law

Digital Law refers what you are and are not allowed to do when using digital media or on the Internet.

It focuses on the legislation and legal principles that are in place regarding the use of the Internet in all forms (DiGiacomo, 2019). In other words, Digital Law is about knowing and understanding the ethical and legal rules that applies to all digital users when using technology with a society.

There are many facets to Digital Law, also known as Internet Law, because the digital community is a complicated place with many areas that can become ethically questionable and susceptible to fraud. It is arguable difficult to cover every aspect of Digital Law because there are many. As new technology emerges, so do new issues and concerns, as well as people who find ways to do bad things.

This Wiki page on Digital Law is not all-inclusive. It only skims the surfaces of the multitude of topics that are affected by Digital Law.

As of January 2021, there were 4.66 billion active Internet users worldwide, which is 59.5 percent of the global population (Johnson, 2021). Because there are so many people in our Internet community, there are many types of violations that can occur when using the Internet or other forms of digital media. Many people do not realize the consequences of their actions. For example, downloading music without paying for it may seem a small or unimportant infringement, but there can be fines and jail time involved.

Other examples of unethical digital use:

· Resolving conflicts over domain names and trademarks

· Hacking into other people’s information

· Stealing someone’s identity, confidential information, or intellectual property (e.g., digital media)

· Creating or spreading destructive worms, viruses, Trojan horses, ransom attacks

· Downloading pirated movies

· Child pornography

· Gambling

· Cyberstalking

· Downloading illegal music

· Sending spam emails

· Plagiarism

· Illegal file-sharing

· Pirating software (copying and distributing without permission)

· Copyright infringement

· Terrorism

· Deceptive marketing
· Online scams

Mike Ribble offers an overview of the nine elements of digital citizenship under the umbrellas of Respect, Educate, and Protect, and Digital Law falls under the framework of Respect (Ribble, 2021).

RESPECT – Digital Access, Digital Etiquette, Digital Law

EDUCATE – Digital Communication, Digital Literacy, Digital Commerce

PROTECT – Digital Rights & Responsibilities, Digital Safety & Security, Digital Health & Wellness

It is critical for Internet users and digital creators and consumers to understand how to properly use and share each other's digital property. Whether their use is often or infrequent, becoming familiar with the essential parts of Digital Law is required for obeying laws, staying protected, and respecting others. Becoming knowledgeable in Digital Law will also help you to communicate and work better with others, who, like you, are trying to do the same.

Digital citizenship is continuously developing norms
of appropriate, responsible, and empowered technology use.
– Digital Citizenship.net