All schools and businesses have some type of an Authorized user Policy when it comes to utilizing their computer networks. Yet, people continue to ignore the policy and these resources for reasons that are outside their intended use. When confronted on AUP violations, the user most likely will shrug it off and continue on with the abuse. It is almost a “no harm no foul” mentatility.

You could argue, that using computer networks supplied by schools and business is no different than using the telephone to make personal phone calls. But I think the those who argue that point probably have never owned a business or never have been responsible for a P&L cost center.

I read recently a point of view that espouses that it is no big deal to have students circumvent network security or to otherwise abuse technology resources. They argue, if a student wrote in a textbook, you wouldn’t take away the text book – they need it for school. I say, “Nice Try!”

First of all students can be made to pay for damaged books. And if they damage a book, it only affects themselves or at most a limited amount of people. That is not true of internet abuse. Crimes can be committed and students can put themselves and the network at risk. I think it is a big deal when students and workers abuse the system And if you think otherwise, then I would say to you that you are weak on your ethical positions. So let’s stop making excuses for technology resource abuses. Let’s expect more from our students – the future resources who will abuse work environment technology resources.

But I have a more important reason to encourage the enforcement of AUP’s. I want students to be able to use the iPhones and whatever is coming down the pike at school. These are more than just phones. Cameras, audio, internet access, messaging – they connect the student. Currently, the zeitgeist is to ban them. The Virginia Department of Education is currently offering a competition to develop apps for students to use on their iPhones. So at the state level, there is an indication that we should prepare to embrace this technology.

So, let’s start to really enforce the AUP’s and send the message the we expect students to do the right thing. uWA-WA (use Where Appropriate – When Appropriate). Let’s step up the discussion of ethics. Let’s embrace the technologies.

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