DGB 4: Responsible Digital Communication, Copyright and Image Rights

← Digital Literacy – Year 4

Digital communication can reach large audiences instantly and can be copied or forwarded with little control. Responsible participation therefore combines respectful behaviour, privacy, copyright, source attribution and the right to one's own image.

Curriculum reference

Area	Classification
Competence area	Communication
Perspectives	G, I
Focus	Responsible communication under copyright and the right to one's own image
Competence	Communicate respectfully, protect personal data, respect copyright and image rights, and choose appropriate channels and licences.

Learning objectives

Students can:

apply rules of respectful digital communication;
distinguish public, private and sensitive communication;
protect personal and third-party data when sharing information;
explain the purpose of copyright;
recognise that texts, images, music and videos may be protected works;
decide whether content may be shared, adapted or reused in simple cases;
provide suitable source and creator information;
understand the basic idea of Creative Commons licences;
explain why images of people should not be published without appropriate permission;
estimate consequences of careless or unlawful sharing;
choose suitable channels for sensitive communication;
publish their own content responsibly.

Learning content

Respectful communication

Netiquette includes clear, respectful wording, context awareness and restraint before forwarding or reacting. Digital messages lack many non-verbal cues, so ambiguous or hostile wording can escalate quickly.

Protecting private and sensitive data

Before sending a message or file, consider who needs the information, whether the channel is appropriate and whether screenshots or forwarding could expose someone else.

Copyright

Copyright protects creative works and gives creators rights over reproduction, adaptation and publication. Public availability on the internet does not mean free reuse without conditions.

Sources and attribution

Source information helps distinguish your own work from someone else's and allows readers to verify material. A source citation does not automatically create a legal right to reuse content; both attribution and permission/licence can matter.

Creative Commons

Creative Commons licences allow creators to predefine certain reuse permissions. Users must follow the specific licence conditions such as attribution, share-alike or restrictions on commercial use or adaptations.

The right to one's own image

Photographs and videos of identifiable people raise privacy and image-right questions. Permission and context matter, especially before public posting or forwarding to wider groups.

Publishing safely and legally

Use material you created yourself, appropriately licensed resources or content for which you have permission. Check people shown in media, remove unnecessary personal data and choose an audience that fits the purpose.

Ethical responsibility

Legal permission is only a minimum standard. Something can be technically legal yet still be humiliating, misleading or unfair. Responsible communication also considers likely harm.

Classroom activities

Check and assess posts

Review fictional posts for tone, privacy, copyright and image-right issues.

Expected outcome: A post checklist.

Class-chat conflict

Rewrite a heated conversation to reduce escalation while preserving the issue.

Expected outcome: A constructive version.

Share safely or not

Decide how different files or messages should be shared and with whom.

Expected outcome: A channel decision table.

Copyright in a media project

Identify which project elements need original work, permission or licensed material.

Expected outcome: A rights plan.

Creative Commons workshop

Interpret several CC licence combinations and choose suitable material for a task.

Expected outcome: A licence-selection sheet.

Apply image rights

Evaluate scenarios involving group photos, screenshots and public posting.

Expected outcome: A reasoned case analysis.

Rewrite messages

Improve unclear or disrespectful messages for tone, privacy and audience.

Expected outcome: A set of revised messages.

Create a posting guide

Write short rules for sources, consent, privacy and respectful communication.

Expected outcome: A class guide.

Peer review

Check a media product before publication using a rights-and-responsibility checklist.

Expected outcome: A release check.

Everyday dilemmas

Respond to short cases such as forwarding a chat, using music in a video or posting a group photo.

Expected outcome: A decision log.

Self-check

I communicate respectfully and choose an appropriate audience.
I protect my own and other people's sensitive data.
I understand that online content may be copyrighted.
I can use basic Creative Commons information.
I consider permission before publishing identifiable people.
I can explain why ethical judgement goes beyond legal minimums.