A statement stating that computers have brought significant change in human life today is true beyond any reasonable doubt. Currently, almost all essential services like banking, transport and learning are carried out comfortably with the use of computers. It is even hard to imagine living a single day without access to the internet or other advanced technological platforms. Actually, computers have transformed modern societies into information hubs. Internet facilitates access to vast and detailed information relating to almost any aspect of life. According to Herman (2013), computers are instrumental in natural sciences because computer graphics enables visualization of scientific concepts through visual devices. Moreover, rapid accumulation and distribution of knowledge relating to economics, environmental sciences and other fields of academics have augmented public awareness in social, political and economic aspects in life.
Unethical Behavior in Computer Use
Despite benefits of technology described above, it is worth acknowledging the fact that use of computers and other advanced tools for information management presents negative impact on the society. Relevant research findings from technological studies indicate an increase in the harmful effects of computers today. In fact, internet use harbors a myriad of unethical outcomes than any other technological tool. According to Peter (2011), most of these unethical issues arise from access and subsequent misuse of online information. Nowadays, it is common to hear of illegal and unethical hacking practices directed towards multi-national corporations and international news agencies.
Unethical behaviors while using computers include plagiarism, piracy and pornography. Students in high school and tertiary institutions are increasingly gaining access to information online. In this context, students are fond of employing the copy-paste technique instead of genuinely working out their assignments. This act of taking credit from someone’s work remains one of the leading unethical uses of computers in learning. Internet also hinders protection of product copyrights and patent by the producer. Peter (2011) agrees that criminals are arming themselves with hacking skills and using them for unethical purposes. Hackers acquire information and download software programs without permission from authorized dealers. All these acts amount to unethical use of the internet.
Trespassing of Privacy
Additional ethical issues in computers involve sharing of internet servers and monitoring activities of employees while using their computers. Managers are increasingly becoming interested in employees’ competence and level of productivity. Consequently, organizations are employing firm administrative techniques like monitoring employees online as they work with their computers. This trend is unethical because it leads to trespassing of individual privacy. According to Roger (2010), once in a while an employee may check out his or her social network account. In this case, managers involved in micromanaging their workers will access personal information from the employee’s Facebook or Twitter account. Sharing of servers is also risky since your neighbor or colleague may monitor your progress in surfing the net. Both these acts are conventionally snooping, which is unethical and in most cases leads to trespassing of privacy.
One Laptop per Child Project
In future, unethical cases in technology may increase, especially with the One Laptop per Child program and Copyleft programs in place. This One Laptop per Child program seeks to distribute low-cost laptops to every child in developing countries. It is a self-empowered project aimed at increasing children’s access to internet. In this context, early access to internet information by children will undermine measures put against plagiarism. According to Tavani and Wright (2013), students will start cheating on their assignments through plagiarism as early as at the elementary level. In addition, these underage children may access explicit and harmful information like pornography, which is both illegal and unethical.
Copyleft Licenses
On the other hand, Copyleft will further undermine the fight against piracy. Providing copyright permission to a vast number of computer users increase chances of misusing an author’s work. Herman (2013) insinuates that these secondary parties allowed to reproduce and distribute copyright information through Copyleft licensing may end up selling the right to third parties. Consequently, original works may be reproduced and modified; hence compromising on the need to perverse the work under copyright conditions.
Conclusion
At this juncture, we can appreciate the fact that computers facilitate availability and distribution of information to various consumers. However, unauthorized access and misuse of information contained in the internet remains one of the most unethical uses of technology. Unfortunately, current projects like One Laptop per Child and Copyleft may hinder the fight against unethical use of computers by the public.
References
Herman, M. (2013). Ethics and Technology: Controversies, Questions and Strategies for Ethical Computing. Indianapolis: John Wiley & Sons.
Peter, L. (2011). The Ethics of Internet Research: A Rhetorical, Case-based Process. Indianapolis: John Wiley & Sons Publishing.
Roger, B. (2010). Online rights for Employees in the Information Society: Use and Monitoring at Workplace. New York: Cengage Learning.
Tavani, C. & Wright, P. L. (2013). Appropriate Technology Organizations: One Laptop Per Child Program. Detroit: General Books LLC.
