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Computers:Computers:Tools for an Information AgeTools for an Information Age

Chapter 9Chapter 9Social and Ethical Issues in Computing:Social and Ethical Issues in Computing:

Doing the Right ThingDoing the Right Thing

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ObjectivesObjectives

Identify the social issues and ethics in Identify the social issues and ethics in computingcomputing

Understand the digital divide social issue Understand the digital divide social issue and its effect in societyand its effect in society

List and describe the workplace issuesList and describe the workplace issues

Describe the international and national Describe the international and national legal issueslegal issues

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ObjectivesObjectives

List different methods that are already List different methods that are already available for protecting children on the available for protecting children on the InternetInternet

Explain the significance of the ethics in Explain the significance of the ethics in computingcomputing

Explain the significance of intellectual Explain the significance of intellectual property rightsproperty rights

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The Digital DivideThe Digital Divide

Separates the computing Separates the computing haves from the have-notshaves from the have-nots

Several initiatives exist to Several initiatives exist to narrow the dividenarrow the divide

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Workplace IssuesWorkplace Issues

Healthy computingHealthy computing

Employee monitoringEmployee monitoring

Environmental concernsEnvironmental concerns

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Healthy ComputingHealthy Computing

A number of health questions have been A number of health questions have been raisedraised Harmful emissions from monitorHarmful emissions from monitor Eyestrain from monitorEyestrain from monitor Back pain from position of chair and deskBack pain from position of chair and desk Repetitive strain injuryRepetitive strain injury

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ErgonomicsErgonomics

Refers to human factors related to the use Refers to human factors related to the use of computersof computers

Ergonomic equipmentErgonomic equipment

Ergonomic behaviorErgonomic behavior

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Employee MonitoringEmployee Monitoring

Various tools allow an employer to monitor an Various tools allow an employer to monitor an employee’s performanceemployee’s performance Keystroke monitors measure keystrokes per secondKeystroke monitors measure keystrokes per second Other software tools monitor how long an employee is Other software tools monitor how long an employee is

away from the computeraway from the computer Monitor the files stored on the hard driveMonitor the files stored on the hard drive Monitor the sites visited on the InternetMonitor the sites visited on the Internet

Many companies have policies that notify Many companies have policies that notify employees about monitoring practicesemployees about monitoring practices

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Environmental ConcernsEnvironmental Concerns

Power consumptionPower consumption

Computer suppliesComputer supplies

PC disposalPC disposal

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Jurisdictional IssuesJurisdictional Issues

International issuesInternational issues Applying national laws to a world-wide medium is a Applying national laws to a world-wide medium is a

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

Issues exist over which country’s court has jurisdictionIssues exist over which country’s court has jurisdiction

National issuesNational issues Issues exist over which locality’s court has jurisdictionIssues exist over which locality’s court has jurisdiction Imposition of sales taxes on Internet transactionsImposition of sales taxes on Internet transactions

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Protecting Children on the InternetProtecting Children on the Internet

The Internet offers many opportunities for The Internet offers many opportunities for childrenchildren There are also unsavory elements on the There are also unsavory elements on the

InternetInternet

Ways to protect childrenWays to protect children Blocking softwareBlocking software Child monitoringChild monitoring Laws Laws to protect childrento protect children

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Ethics in ComputingEthics in Computing

Ethics – standards of moral conductEthics – standards of moral conduct Used to help determine the proper course of Used to help determine the proper course of

action in difficult situationsaction in difficult situations

Computing IssuesComputing Issues Computer ethicsComputer ethics Professional ethicsProfessional ethics Programmer responsibilityProgrammer responsibility Ethical use of computersEthical use of computers

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Intellectual Property RightsIntellectual Property Rights

Refers to results of intellectual activity in Refers to results of intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary, or artistic the industrial, scientific, literary, or artistic fieldsfields

U.S. Copyright Act provides protection in U.S. Copyright Act provides protection in three areasthree areas CopyrightsCopyrights PatentsPatents TrademarksTrademarks