This sounds like you are taking some form of Computing course and you’re looking for support. In this case, you may consider asking your personal tutor for more information, or consulting the textbook and other reading materials that you would have been given in class.
Although there are no real guidelines for ethics on the Internet, the terms and conditions for use of certain websites may demand a certain level of ‘netiquette’. Not following the rules and regulations that an online community imposes on its users can result in termination or suspension of an account, and this tends to ensure that visitors to a service maintain some decorum to retain the integrity of the website.
It’s heavily emphasised that laws imposed on citizens in the real world apply online, and this includes such activities such as illegal downloading. On the basis that stealing a physical CD or DVD constitutes theft, this means that acquiring a pirate copy of a movie through a website is a crime. To this effect, Limewire recently settled out of court for $105 million to be paid to 12 record companies because they provided a platform for Internet users to download music illegally.
Another ethical responsibility relates to child pornography, which is regarded as a serious issue in many Internet circles. Although there have been many major cases where illegal paedophile rings have been closed down, Internet users are ethically expected to report any dangerous websites they see. Because of the vast expense of the Internet and how difficult it is to police, this is a battle that remains ongoing.
Although there are no real guidelines for ethics on the Internet, the terms and conditions for use of certain websites may demand a certain level of ‘netiquette’. Not following the rules and regulations that an online community imposes on its users can result in termination or suspension of an account, and this tends to ensure that visitors to a service maintain some decorum to retain the integrity of the website.
It’s heavily emphasised that laws imposed on citizens in the real world apply online, and this includes such activities such as illegal downloading. On the basis that stealing a physical CD or DVD constitutes theft, this means that acquiring a pirate copy of a movie through a website is a crime. To this effect, Limewire recently settled out of court for $105 million to be paid to 12 record companies because they provided a platform for Internet users to download music illegally.
Another ethical responsibility relates to child pornography, which is regarded as a serious issue in many Internet circles. Although there have been many major cases where illegal paedophile rings have been closed down, Internet users are ethically expected to report any dangerous websites they see. Because of the vast expense of the Internet and how difficult it is to police, this is a battle that remains ongoing.
