TEN-COMMANDMENTS-OF-COMPUTER-ETHICS
TEN-COMMANDMENTS-OF-COMPUTER-ETHICS
NETIQUETTE
netiquette is a compound word made of
words network and etiquette and defines
considerate and respectful online
communication.
You need to consider carefully the way you
behave and act online as it defines what
kind of a 'digital citizen' you are.
RULE 1: REMEMBER THE
HUMAN
the internet can often dehumanize other
people, especially when you are interacting
with someone you do not know personally.
RULE 2: BE ETHICAL
In life, people generally follow the law. It can
however be easy to let your ethics slip when
online.
Illegal streaming of movies, illegal
downloading of music and copyright
infringement is still breaking the law.
RULE 3: KNOW WHERE
YOU ARE
Netiquette varies from website to website. What is acceptable in
one environment is not acceptable in another.
For example, the way you behave on university websites and
discussion forums will be very different to how you behave on a
social network like Facebook.
One good piece of advice comes from Shea (2011) "lurk before you
leap"
RULE 4: RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE'S
TIME AND DATA LIMITS
When you post anything online, write an
email or share a post it will take other
people's time to read.
It is important that you direct messages
to the right people.
RULE 5: MAKE YOURSELF LOOK GOOD
ONLINE
Make sure you are careful with what you share.
It is always advisable not to share anything
embarrassing, illegal or inappropriate.
People you have not even met may look you
up online. Make sure you set a good
impression.
RULE 6: SHARE EXPERT KNOWLEDGE
Sharing is one of the principles behind
the majority of internet services.
If you are knowledgeable in an area then
you have something to offer! Share what
you know and it will help other users.
RULE 7: KEEP DISAGREEMENT
HEALTHY
People are always going to disagree and
that is healthy. Such disagreements can
be about heated issues like politics,
religion and philosophy or they can be
relatively trivial.
When involved in any such a debate, it is
important to be respectful of the other
people involved.
RULE 8: RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE'S
PRIVACY
You need to ensure you do not breach
anyone's wishes by sharing any of the
content they have made available to you.
It is also worth mentioning that you
should not use anyone else's computers,
mobile devices or accounts without their
permission.
RULE 9: DON'T ABUSE
YOUR POWER
If you are an administrator or facilitator
for any online environment, make sure
you do not abuse the privilege of access
that your position may give you.
RULE 10: BE FORGIVING OF OTHER
PEOPLE'S MISTAKES
ETHICS
The development of computer ethics as a
formal field of study began in the late 1940s
and 1950s, but it gained significant momentum
in the 1970s and 1980s.
Early Foundations (1940s-1950s)