Digital Citizenship

Why is important to be a good digital citizen?  It is important to be a good digital citizen because it is important to be a good natural citizen!  The same rules apply.  It is not rocket science, just because the realm in which we choose to interact changes we do not suddenly have the necessity to change the way in which we treat people.  However, many people insist on proving their ignorance and naivete, when it comes to the ways in which they interact online.  Everything that is posted or transmitted digitally leaves a mark, or footprint, and can be tracked and traced back to the user/sender whether it is deleted or not.  Yet when confrontations arise, or legal ramifications are presented, those people that are responsible for the transmission of the material are often dumbfounded and surprised.  So what values should a good digital citizen present?  I believe they are the same as those of any regular citizen that has a fine upstanding reputation.  The values of the Golden Rule and Thumper from "Bambi".  All other rules are simply offshoots from these principles, because when it all comes down it is all about integrity both online and off.  How do you act and what do you say when no one else is around?