Unit 1: Page 36: Moral And Ethical Issues 1

Question 1

Environment

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

Unequal access

Answer 2

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 available online. Students who do not have computer access at home may be disadvantaged in their learning.

Question 3

Online behaviour

Answer 3

Netiquette describes acceptable behaviour on the internet. It attempts to solve problems such as:
• 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.

Question 4

Globalisation

Answer 4

Globalisation describes the process of countries becoming increasingly interconnected, particularly the increase in trade, transport and communications.
IT systems have played a key role in facilitating this process.
• Despite obvious benefits, globalisation has also caused or exacerbated problems such as job outsourcing, disease spreading, environmental damage and terrorism.

Question 5

Freedom of speech

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Acceptable use

Answer 6

Many companies have acceptable use policies that define how employees can use IT systems, such as websites and email while at work.