The issue of internet ethics is a growing concern as technology as an educational tool increases within the classroom. According to a professor at the University of San Francisco, "nearly one third of students have been flagged for internet plagiarism." If this level of internet misuse is occurring in post-secondary the level of probability is high that is also taking place within the k-12 levels of the educational system. A recent study found that most students did not view illegal internet activities such as hacking as real crimes. With such a major increase in the amount of technology the average student now uses it is quite possible that a lack of cyber moral training has resulted in an unethical attitude regarding internet activities. This is why in recent years many school based computer courses have turned towards a focus in ethical web training.

The Alliance for Childhood Technology Literacy believes that there is a strong need “to infuse the study of ethics and responsibility into every technology-training program offered within a school. There are a number of instructional methods that can help in instilling a sense of electronic ethics within the classroom that include: initiating a cyber ethics curriculum, teach cyber ethics, use the internet as a tool to teach, create an acceptable policy with students, and have students make a pledge to become ethical web users.

“Do you believe it is possible for a person to carry ethically responsible behaviour in day to day life but at the same time bear unethical views as to what is acceptable web conduct?”

http://www.rogerdarlington.co.uk/Internetethics.html

http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/library/computerlit/scenarios.php

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/pccs/documents/rc_pc_pccs_doc_20020228_ethics-internet_en.html


Reid Litster