Personal Property
By now you have learned from your parents that you are not to open mail that is
not addressed to you. Let's think about this a little. What if your parents get a letter from
your favorite uncle, one with whom you have an especially good relationship should you
open it? No, certainly not, unless your name is on the envelope, since there may be something
in the letter that your uncle wished to discuss in private with your parents.Well then, what if the
glue on the envelope came loose and the letter fell out, should you read it then?Once again, the fact
that it was easy to do does not make any difference.In your classroom,you have access to everybody
else's files and work. Are there ever any circumstances when you may tamper with other people's files, programs, or computer configuration without permission?No there aren't. You have no more right to touch data or computers than you have to disturb anything else that belongs to another person.In your classroom, your classmates leave books and papers in their desks when they go home. Is it ok to read their papers after they leave? Of course, once again, the answer is no. Then it is also wrong to read other people's computer files to which you may have access, no matter how easy it is to do and no matter whether or not you may be caught. There is always one exception to this rule. If others give you permissionto read letters or materials they
own, then it is all right to do so.What about your parents. Do they have the right to read letters and files that you
write? You need to talk to them about this and reach a clear understanding of the rules in your family. Whenever possible,
it is best not to collect things that would cause problems if read by someone who did not have your permission. Not everybody
has thought about privacy, personal property,and courtesy as you have, and you must be prepared that some people will do
improper or illegal things that may affect you.
If you are not sure whether you may read things that belong to
others, then don't, until you get their permission.
not addressed to you. Let's think about this a little. What if your parents get a letter from
your favorite uncle, one with whom you have an especially good relationship should you
open it? No, certainly not, unless your name is on the envelope, since there may be something
in the letter that your uncle wished to discuss in private with your parents.Well then, what if the
glue on the envelope came loose and the letter fell out, should you read it then?Once again, the fact
that it was easy to do does not make any difference.In your classroom,you have access to everybody
else's files and work. Are there ever any circumstances when you may tamper with other people's files, programs, or computer configuration without permission?No there aren't. You have no more right to touch data or computers than you have to disturb anything else that belongs to another person.In your classroom, your classmates leave books and papers in their desks when they go home. Is it ok to read their papers after they leave? Of course, once again, the answer is no. Then it is also wrong to read other people's computer files to which you may have access, no matter how easy it is to do and no matter whether or not you may be caught. There is always one exception to this rule. If others give you permissionto read letters or materials they
own, then it is all right to do so.What about your parents. Do they have the right to read letters and files that you
write? You need to talk to them about this and reach a clear understanding of the rules in your family. Whenever possible,
it is best not to collect things that would cause problems if read by someone who did not have your permission. Not everybody
has thought about privacy, personal property,and courtesy as you have, and you must be prepared that some people will do
improper or illegal things that may affect you.
If you are not sure whether you may read things that belong to
others, then don't, until you get their permission.