The formulation of this guide was instigated by the REACH advocacy Council, and is motivated by a need to ensure that users at all of Jordan's schools and Internet Cafes realize the Internet capabilities as a resource, while fully understanding that they are responsible in how they access or transmit information through the Internet. It is assumed that the reader has some familiarization with the terms that are referenced in this document. Users who are not very familiar with such terms and protocols should refer to the document "Introduction to Internet terms" before proceeding.


Web Safety

As your use of the Internet increases, chances are you will be accessing more than educational information when you go online. From your homes, your schools, and from Internet Cafes, you are likely to encounter a wide range of entertainment, information, marketing content, and interactive communication on the Internet.

The "Internet" is not a single network; rather, it is a group of thousands of individual networks, which have chosen to allow traffic to pass among them. The traffic sent out to the Internet may actually traverse several different networks before it reaches its destination. The network itself, however, acts only as a medium for applications designed to utilize it. Among the more common of these are electronic mail and the World Wide Web, though the Internet can be utilized in many more ways that are sophisticated.

It is almost inevitable, therefore, that as children and/or young adults, you may sometimes encounter online situations that expose you to inappropriate, offensive or illegal Web content, and that make you feel uncomfortable, harassed or even threatened.

As a user of the network, you may be permitted to access other networks (and/or the computer systems attached to those networks). Each network or system has its own set of policies and procedures. Actions, which are normally permitted on one network/system, may be controlled, or even forbidden, on other networks. It is your responsibility to abide by the policies and procedures of these other networks/systems.

It is essential for each one of you to recognize his/her responsibility in having access to vast services, sites, systems, and people. You are ultimately responsible for your own actions in accessing network services.

Always remember the fact that you "can" perform a particular action does not imply that you "should" take that action. The use of the network is a privilege, not a right, that you would be ethically - and sometimes legally- abusing through inappropriate conduct.

Inappropriate conduct could include:

. The placing of unlawful information on a system,
. The use of abusive or otherwise objectionable language in either public or private messages,
. The sending of messages that are likely to result in the loss of recipients' work or systems,
. The sending of "Chain letters," or "broadcast" messages to lists or individuals, and any other types of use which would cause congestion of the networks or otherwise interfere with the work of others.
. Other unethical, illegal, or deceitful actions, some of which we will be referring to throughout this manual.

This manual is designed to help you understand the privileges as well as the risks associated with the Internet-environment, the safety issues associated with Web sites, chat rooms, newsgroups, instant messaging and e-mail. It includes information on the benefits and risks of these cyber-activities, and offers practical advice on how you can ensure that your valuable online experiences are safe and rewarding.

Just as important, this manual provides you with the general guidelines governing "proper" conduct in cyber-environment. Proper conduct on the Internet is referred to as "Netiquette" - short for "Network Etiquette". It is expected that each and every one of you displays appropriate ethical, moral, and social responsibility and abides by the generally accepted code of behavior - Netiquette.