I think many students are aware of the opportunities to purchase items online, but few are aware of the risks and problems associated with online buying. Students should be made aware of the risks and potential problems, since they can be long-term and life altering.
According to Ribble and Bailey, digital commerce plays a large role in students' lives, so they need to understand all sides of these online transactions. (2007) They also add that if "teachers hope to prepare students for the rest of their lives, digital commerce is an important issue that needs to be addressed." Teachers can point out some basic things for students making online purchases to look for; one would be symbols, like a closed padlock or an unbroken key, which indicate that a website is secure. These symbols mean that personal information should be safe from identity theft. Also look for an "s" after the "http" which also means the website is secure. (Referenced from http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs23-shopping.html) It is also important to know who you are buying from; are they a reputable company? Patrons should also familiarize themselves with company policies and keep records of purchases. It is vital to learn to spot "unscrupulous marketers and fraudsters"; this will prevent patrons from falling victim to any type of scam or con. (Referenced from http://privacy.getnetwise.org/shopping/tips/)
Teachers needs to be concerned with online purchasing, since students are becoming digital consumers. Oftentimes, students will use the Internet to research items they want to buy; they need to learn how to find the best deal and the proper steps to take before, during, and after online purchases. "If teachers are to help prepare their students to be good citizens, they need to prepare them for interacting in a digital economy." (Ribble and Bailey, 2007)
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