Computers:

Tools for an Information Age

Chapter 9 Social and Ethical Issues in Computing: Doing the Right Thing

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Objectives
Identify the social issues and ethics in computing Understand the digital divide social issue and its effect in society List and describe the workplace issues Describe the international and national legal issues

Copyright 2003 by Prentice Hall

Objectives
List different methods that are already available for protecting children on the Internet Explain the significance of the ethics in computing Explain the significance of intellectual property rights

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The Digital Divide

Separates the computing haves from the have-nots Several initiatives exist to narrow the divide

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Workplace Issues
Healthy computing Employee monitoring Environmental concerns

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Healthy Computing
A number of health questions have been raised

Harmful emissions from monitor Eyestrain from monitor Back pain from position of chair and desk Repetitive strain injury

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Ergonomics
Refers to human factors related to the use of computers Ergonomic equipment Ergonomic behavior

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Employee Monitoring
Various tools allow an employer to monitor an employees performance

Keystroke monitors measure keystrokes per second Other software tools monitor how long an employee is away from the computer Monitor the files stored on the hard drive Monitor the sites visited on the Internet

Many companies have policies that notify employees about monitoring practices
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Environmental Concerns
Power consumption Computer supplies PC disposal

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Jurisdictional Issues
International issues

Applying national laws to a world-wide medium is a difficult process

It would be impossible to determine if the content of every Web site was legal according to the laws of every country

Issues exist over which countrys court has jurisdiction

Issues exist over which localitys court has jurisdiction Imposition of sales taxes on Internet transactions

National issues

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Protecting Children on the Internet

The Internet offers many opportunities for children

There are also unsavory elements on the Internet Blocking software Child monitoring Laws to protect children
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Ways to protect children

Ethics in Computing
Ethics standards of moral conduct

Used to help determine the proper course of action in difficult situations

Computer ethics Professional ethics Programmer responsibility Ethical use of computers
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Computing Issues

Intellectual Property Rights

Refers to results of intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary, or artistic fields U.S. Copyright Act provides protection in three areas

Copyrights Patents Trademarks

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