Moral And Ethical Issues - Content Flashcards
Environment
• The ever-growing demand for electronic devices means increased manufacturing output and increased energy needed to run the devices.
• These have negative by-products such as greenhouse gases which affect climate change.
Unequal Access
Not everyone has access to IT systems and the internet
• There is a distinct divide between access in countries in the developing and developed world.
- Many schools and colleges make resources avalable online. Students who do not have computer access at home may be disadvantaged in their learning.
Online behaviour
Netiquette describes acceptable behaviour on the internet.
• the perception of the internet as an impersonal and anonymous place to communicate, leading to unacceptable behaviour online
• trolling and cyberbullying on social networking sites, which also affect people’s offline lives.
Globalisation
Globalisation describes the process of countries becoming increasingly interconnected particularly the increase in trade, transport and communications.
globalisation has also caused problems such as job outsourcing, disease spreading, environmental damage and terrorism
Freedom of Speech
Some users of sites, such as social networking, blogs, vlogs and forums, express views that many people find offensive.
• Many sites set rules for the content added by users and for user behaviour, and close down accounts, groups and pages that are in breach of these rules.
• Some users feel this is a form of censorship and a violation of their freedom of speech.
Acceptable Use
Many companies have acceptable use policies that define how employees can use IT systems, such as websites and email while at work.
Health and Safety
Health and safety issues associated with IT systems include the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI), eye and back problems.
Employers have a moral responsibility to carry out risk assessments and provide suitable equipment and working conditions for employees.
Copyright
Illegally downloading movies, TV shows, music and software. Likewise the malability of images on the internet increases the risk of people infringing copyright in their work.
These practices threaten the livelihood the people who produce these works, and those who sell and distribute them
Computer misuse
Attacks on computer systems, such as viruses hacking and denial of service (DoS) attacks cause harm to individuals and businesses.
The effects can include loss of income for businesses, loss of jobs, theft of personal wealth and the upset resulting from the inability to use our IT systems.
Protection of data
Organisations and individuals have an ethical responsibility to protect the data of other people that they are using, storing and transmitting.
Privacy
Can be compromised by IT systems.
The growth of services blurs the lines petween our online and offline worlds.
The misuse of this information can have severe regative impacts. Cyberbullying, identity theft and bank theft are examples.
Accessibility
New IT systems should be accessible to people regardless of disability.
Inaccessible systems cause upset and stress, and can deny access for people with disabilities to work, services and leisure facilities.
