Term Paper on "Ethics and Addiction"

Term Paper 5 pages (1677 words) Sources: 5

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Ethics and Addiction

It is a common observation that children and teenagers these days are exposed more to technology and it is required more than ever. If teenagers and youngsters are further exposed to computer, being an important part of technology, it can expose greater risks and can have consequences in the later stages of life. There is an increased usage of MP3 players, cell phones, and laptops at ages that are not considered mature for an exposure to these technologies. Ethical or unethical, when the children reach their mature ages, they have almost learned many ways of using these technologies. Some of the main ways of using these technologies may interfere with standards and code of ethics set for the usage of technology. This paper will highlight the consequences of computer addiction especially in relation to safeguarding data (Roberts, 2010, p. 34).

Computer Addiction

Before the age of personal computers, the term 'computer addiction' was lesser used. There is a great dispute over the fact if computer addiction can be termed as proper addiction in accordance to the standards defined by psychiatry. It has been argued that individuals involved in computer based activities in a more pre-occupied way may be addicted to these activities. These individuals sometime also exhibit withdrawal symptoms that are usually seen in the case of addicts when they are placed in a situation where an access to computer is impossible.

Many factors have significantly played roles in an increase in computer addiction and these include a combination of MP3 players with PCs as well as internet. Internet has been an important factor of addiction as all kinds of leisure activities have been made possible based on data availability on the internet such that copyright infringement and piracy is somewhat acceptable in the world of internet. In the case of data availability, it has been seen that newer trends have been set by peer-to-peer file sharing through which songs, software, and movies can be downloaded for free (Young, and de Abreu, 2010, p. 56). These peer-to-peer channels are an important way to avoid payments and normal distribution channels.

It has been highlighted that computer hacking became more popular in 1990s and since then there has been an increase in prosecutions and crimes of computer hacking. In some cases, these computer hackers were placed in rehabilitative therapy programs. These rehabilitation programs made sure that computer addiction was considered more as a condition; even if at that time, there were no treatments or diagnostic procedures available.

Computer Addiction and Unethical Behavior

Question is what influences an individual into committing cybercrimes based on computer addiction and getting involved in unethical activities. One of the main factors as highlighted by the authors includes an acceptance to the lack of consequences of past behaviors or behaviors of the peers. Here the main example is a complete lack of younger people to accept the consequences of free downloading from the internet. Thereby when an individual participates in an illegal and an unethical activity once and goes unnoticed, there are greater chances that the same individual will repeat the activity. It has been highlighted that 89% of computer science students in any university in U.S. are liable to commit cybercrime online.

Secondly, addictive behaviors also depend on an increased usage of drugs or substance abuse (Ross, 2008, p. 23). It has been highlighted by the authors that many addicts have a longer history of substance abuse or addiction. Secondly if an individual spends more time on the internet than there are many opportunities for that individual to commit a cybercrime because of the fact of higher and an increased involvement with the internet environment. When for an individual there are no proper coping mechanisms than there are chances that the opportunities can be used in the future to participate in cybercrimes.

Thirdly, low economic and financial opportunities also are an important factor. There is no denying the fact that low economic opportunities, no job opportunities and lesser pay also increase the chances of cybercrimes being committed by teenagers and youngsters.

Ethical implications of the use of networks, and computers may be misunderstood by computer addicts based on an ease of access to these technologies. Here it is important to highlight that the cybercriminals are not usually aware of the consequences that their crimes have on their victims. As there is no personal contact between the criminal and the victim; thereby it lets the cybercriminal believe that no crime has been committed. In that way, as compared to normal crimes, there are lesser chances in the case of cybercriminals to see what ethical offenses and crimes they have committed.

Finally, current state of moral values plays an important role in an increase of cybercrimes and computer addiction (Shelly, and Vermaat, 2009, p. 55). According to the Gallup Poll of 2004, state of moral values in these days is worse as compared to the previous days. Since there is a great link between perceived moral standards and moral values, a decline in the moral values would eventually lead to a great fall in the ethical standards.

Data Safeguards and Computer Addiction

Safeguarding data is one of the most important priorities of the organizations these days. Information glut and a desire to have more information is one of the main factors that can prove detrimental for the safeguarding of data. In many organizations, it has been seen that employees being addicted to computers is more of a threat. These employees can bypass security measures in order to find out new information. In some cases, it has been highlighted that the person can become so absorbed in finding out information on the internet that security boundaries can be over stepped. This craving for information is such that company databases can be hacked that can even lead to the incidences of espionage (Nykodym, Ariss, & Kurtz, 2008, p. 5).

Ethical standards may be lacking in addicted individuals facing ethical dilemmas and these ethical standards can help in providing guidance. According to the ethics of care attitude there is a need of special need of solidarity and care in the relationships. If these ethical standards are followed than individuals would realize that no activity is to be committed that can have negative consequences for the other person. Thereby when an individual bypasses the safeguard measures for data retrieval in an unethical manner, than there is a great lack of sound ethical judgments in the individual.

Threats to data safeguards also occur outside an organization. It has been seen in the case of convicted hackers who commit online frauds. With the help of wireless internet signals, they would install programs that can capture credit and debit card numbers of the customers of online shopping. Thereby even here it can be seen that a great lack of ethical values is displayed by the lead hacker (Ross, 2008, p. 12).

There have been arguments that computer addiction cannot be regarded as pure addiction but the fact is that this addiction leads to many other kinds of compulsive behaviors that can be ethically challenging. Within the organizations, employees observing these compulsive behaviors bypass the security breaches and compromise data security. Such employees many also make poor decisions in regards to the use of technology and database security thereby posing their own organization with additional risks.

Avoiding Data Breach in Organizations

The effects of computer addiction and an additional risk of data breach can be prevented by the organizations. It is important that sound HR screening programs are started by the organizations that can screen the employees for any signs of compulsive behaviors that include addiction. Maintenance of management atmosphere can also help in keeping an eye on any addictive behaviors being shown by the employees.

Ethical Problems and Computer Addiction

Compulsive behaviors may… READ MORE

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