Ethics In The Computer Era

The ethical use of computers is an important yet often overlooked practice in the modern era. Whether at work or at school, people often forget that they are not utilizing their own personal computer and jeopardize the safety of themselves and others. Computers in a professional environment are designed for authorized use only. But, what is authorized?

Many companies and institutions have policies regarding how their computers can be used. Sometimes, however, the policies can be hard to find. If you are unsure as to what constitutes as ethical use of the computer, contact the Information Technologies department or your manager immediately. They will be more than happy to inform you as it also benefits them. By using only authorized programs and visiting approved websites, the risk of viral infection to the network is minimalized.

CSUMB has their policy regarding Acceptable Use of Computing and Information Technology Resources available on their website at http://policy.csumb.edu/acceptable-use-computing-and-information-technology-resources-0. The policy explicitly outlines the dos and don’ts of computer use while on campus.

Not only should authorized use of programs and visitation of websites be regarded, when to do so is also of importance. Just because a program is authorized does not mean that it can be accessed at any time. Do not waste others’ time by being distracted on the computer. Use common sense when interacting with others and give them your focus if they desire it. As the population grows, it can be easy to ignore those around us, but we are all living on this rock and need to show each other respect and courtesy. Ethics is more than what is right and what is wrong, it is about what is civil and humane.