The focus of ethics and the Internet (E&I) research is directed
on peoples’ actions rather than mere technology itself. At great human
and economic cost, resources drawn from governments, industry and the
academic communities have been assembled into a collection of
interconnected networks called the Internet. Begun as a vehicle for
experimental network research in the mid-1970’s, the Internet has
become an important national infrastructure supporting an increasingly
widespread, multi-disciplinary community of researchers ranging from
computer scientists and electrical engineers to mathematicians, medical
researchers, astronomers and space scientists.
As is true of
other common infrastructures (e.g., roads, water reservoirs and
delivery systems, and the power generation and distribution network),
there is widespread dependence on the Internet by its users for the
support of day-to-day activities. The reliable operation of the
Internet, and the responsible use of its resources, is of common
interest and concern for its users, operators and sponsors. Network
infrastructures underscore the need to reiterate the professional
responsibility every Internet user bears to colleagues and to the
sponsors of the system. Abuse of the system thus, becomes a matter
above and beyond simple professional ethics.
Different articles
focus on the dilemma various groups of people share, when they identify
a misdoing that a firm has performed. Internet risk takers who feel the
need of greed commit the actions mainly illustrated as unethical
behavior. For example, CEOs and founders sell their stock early making
sure they get their cut of the bonanza -no matter what signal that
sends to their public-market investors.
Today, everyone admits
that information is power. This old maxim has become more and more
pertinent in our modern information society. The development of
information technology has been dashing and, if future predictions are
anything to go by, the pace of change will only increase. Ethical and
moral issues in computer ethics are among the most vital social aspects
of information technology. Currently, there are two major problems in
the area. First, inconsistent moral behavior has been documented, which
leads to immoral acts such as virus creation and capital theft. Second,
lack of awareness concerning information technology’s security has
created a variety of IT-related crimes. Not even IT experts have an
adequate knowledge of computer ethics, though there is every indication
that ethics should be a part of their professional baggage. As for the
development of ethical skills, it is not just a matter of education;
rather, it is an on-going process that every professional should be
aware of.
Educational institutions play an important role in this
respect. In addition to imparting technical knowledge, they should also
teach computer ethics. Educational issues and ethical awareness are
important as they provide the motivation for complying with learned
ethical principles. Ethical decision-making formulas and applicable
theories are helpful for sharing information about the application of
ethics. This information can then be disseminated by educational
institutions. The volume of research in the area is constantly
increasing, supplying up-to-date information about ethical and moral
‘traps’ and prescriptive codes for dealing with new dilemmas.
Professionals must have the capability to make broad-minded, objective
ethical decisions. They also have to do their best to create a working
environment and foster an atmosphere where ethical dilemmas can be
discussed openly, objectively and constructively.
