Discussion Case 1

Ethics concerns the concepts of right and wrong conduct. It investigates the questions "What is the best
way for people to live?" and "What actions are right or wrong in particular circumstances?" In practice,
ethics seeks to resolve questions of human morality, by defining concepts such as good and evil, right and
wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics). Although ethics is a
long-lasting subject that has been developing for thousands of years, it is still debatable on some aspects
and leaves some issues unsolved (for instance, social dilemmas). The adoption and diffusion of
information technologies not only influence our lives and social structures, but also challenge us on both
classical and new ethic issues.

You are required to select and discuss a computer ethics issue that concerns you. You may feel it is
important and want people to pay attention to it. Please provide a short discussion, which should be limited
to 500 words. You should post your discussion in this discussion board. Please read other student's
discussion and rate up to 10 posts that you like.

You can find further reading resources below.

Book chapter <Introduction: Why Computer Ethics?>

https://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/~koehl/Teaching/ECS188/PDF_files/PHI320_Ch01.pdf

Book chapter <What is Computer Ethics?>

https://www.blackwellpublishing.com/content/BPL_Images/Content_store/Sample_chapter/978185554844
2/CEAC01.pdf

Dr. James Moor’s Essay <What is Computer Ethics?>

http://web.cs.ucdavis.edu/~rogaway/classes/188/spring06/papers/moor.html
Influence from media

The ten commandments of computer ethics tell people the correct behaviour when
using computers. And in fact, all these are common moral norms, we all know that
cyberbullying, mis-used information, fake information and cyber crimes are
unacceptable issues. For me, as a young generation, I always try to adhere to these
guidelines in an acceptable manner because I know clearly that cyberbullying can
ruin the life of others, mis-used/fake information can create a great cost to my family
/the society.

But years after years, I found these guidelines have not brought people to use the
computer in a good way, in fact, we can find more computer crimes are reported in
recent years as medias played a large part in the internet, transmit false concepts to
people and after some time, they can successfully brain-washed the new generation.
Therefore, I would like to raise awareness about a computer ethics issue that concerns
the majority of people and especially the young generation like you and me -
influence from the media.

Nowadays many people spend hours and hours everyday on their smartphones or
computers for playing games, watching video, chatting, browsing the internet etc.
Every time, when we are connecting to the internet world, we are receiving
information from the media and little by little we may think in the same way as the
information we receive from the internet.

Few months ago, there was an interesting case that happened in Hong Kong, showed
the powerful influence of the media. A Facebook group started posting about a
handsome butcher who worked in a small shop, so curious people went there to see
this “handsome guy” and a fan club was formed for him and he was invited to join
TV shows and he was famous for no reason, neither as a singer, nor a movie artist.
He was famous and welcomed because he was a handsome butcher! After some
months, it was discovered this was the marketing program from an advertising firm
which tried to promote a new star and he was not a butcher in fact. This is a good
example showing how the media creates something/someone from the beginning.

Therefore, when we receive information from the internet, we should filter and try to
discuss it with our parents or someone who has more experience in life. Social media
platforms can bring us fun, self confidence and friendship but it can also ruin or cheat
us. We know this well but social media are experts in doing this.

In short, the use of computers can bring a lot of goods like many wrongs and it has
become a must in studying and working. But we have to be smart, be the master of
the computer by sorting the information received, instead to be its slave!