Information Technology Topic
Computer Ethics
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- Flashcards
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Study focus - 3 things
- Computer ethics means using computers and the internet responsibly
- Ethical computer use includes honesty, privacy, respect, and following rules
- Common exam examples include plagiarism, passwords, cyberbullying, and illegal copying
Section 1What ethics means
Computer ethics is about right and wrong when using computers, phones, and the internet. It covers how you treat people, information, and digital work. In plain words, being online does not remove responsibility.
Section 2Respecting others
Ethical users do not cyberbully, spread rumours, or post private information without permission. At school, this includes group chats, shared documents, and class platforms. Watch out: forwarding something harmful can still make you part of the problem.
Section 3Honesty and ownership
Plagiarism means using someone else's work or ideas as if they are yours. Illegal copying means copying software, music, videos, or files without permission. Here's the trick: if you did not create it, check whether you have permission to use it.
Section 4Privacy and security
Passwords, personal details, and private messages should be protected. Do not share passwords or try to access someone else's account. This is one of the most common exam slip-ups: curiosity is not a good reason to break privacy rules.
Examples
A student copies a paragraph from a website into an assignment without saying where it came from. What ethical issue is this?
This is plagiarism because the student is presenting someone else's work as their own.
In a Kingston class group chat, someone shares another student's private photo without permission. Why is this unethical?
It breaks privacy and respect. Ethical computer use means getting permission before sharing personal information or images.
Now let's water it
Session runs notes to flashcards to quiz back-to-back.