Computer Ethics

1
Computer Ethics

• Appropriate Use
• "Does this use of the technology have an
  educational or personal value and is it in
  keeping with the rules of my family, my church,
  my school and my government?"

2
Scenario 1

• Jack has been using the digital camera to take
  pictures for the family photo album. Jack has
  found that he can use a computer program to
  change the photographs. He has used the program
  so far to make himself look taller, to blacken
  out the front tooth of his sister, and to give
  his dad slightly crossed eyes.
• What is the inappropriate action?
• Who committed it?
• What danger or discomfort might the unethical
  action cause?
• Is there a parallel in the physical world to this
  scenario?
• Can you think of other incidents that would fall
  into this category?

3
Scenario 2

• Just for fun, fourteen-year-old Alice tells the
  other people on her electronic mailing list that
  she is twenty years old and a nursing student.
  Others on the list have begun emailing her
  health-related questions.
• What is the inappropriate action?
• Who committed it?
• What danger or discomfort might the unethical
  action cause?
• Is there a parallel in the physical world to this
  scenario?
• Can you think of other incidents that would fall
  into this category?

4
Scenario 3

• Penelope has found a Web site that has "gross
  jokes" on it. She prints the pages out and shares
  them with her friends.
• What is the inappropriate action?
• Who committed it?
• What danger or discomfort might the unethical
  action cause?
• Is there a parallel in the physical world to this
  scenario?
• Can you think of other incidents that would fall
  into this category?

5
Scenario 4

• The computers in the library always seem to be
  busy. Otis tells the librarian he is working on a
  research project, but actually uses the computer
  to access the latest soccer scores posted on the
  Internet.
• What is the inappropriate action?
• Who committed it?
• What danger or discomfort might the unethical
  action cause?
• Is there a parallel in the physical world to this
  scenario?
• Can you think of other incidents that would fall
  into this category?

6
Scenario 5

• Just for fun, Nellie sets the print command on
  her computer to print 50 copies of an electronic
  encyclopedia article she's been reading, and then
  walks away.
• What is the inappropriate action?
• Who committed it?
• What danger or discomfort might the unethical
  action cause?
• Is there a parallel in the physical world to this
  scenario?
• Can you think of other incidents that would fall
  into this category?

7
Discussion

• Can some actions be considered inappropriate for
  some young people and not others depending on
  their family beliefs? Can some actions be
  considered inappropriate based on the age of the
  individual?
• Can the personal use of a technology resource
  owned by a school or business ever be
  appropriate? Under what circumstances?
• Should a student be allowed to use the school
  networks and email to run for a school office?
• What is the definition of "pornographic?" How
  would you define "hate group?" Are there ever
  times when a pornographic or hate group site
  could be viewed as appropriate?
• How does electronic vandalism or waste of public
  property harm the individual citizen?
• Should schools and/or homes install Internet
  filters?