3.3.6: Implications of ICT

3.3.6: Implications of ICT Importance of communication, consultation and participation

This presentation aims to: • Help you understand how to discuss the ethics relating to ICT with reference to the codes of conduct, for example: • The British Computer Society (BCS) code of conduct • The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) code of ethics and professional conduct

Introduction • In G061 3.1.7 we looked at different computer related laws. • These laws must be followed by those living • In extension to these laws, a code of conduct can specify a way in which people should act.

Code of conduct • Usually, codes of conduct relate to ethical and moral issues that are not defined by law. • This means that if you break a code of conduct you can not be prosecuted by law. • However, if you sign a code of conduct agreement, you are bound by that agreement. • In the workplace, if you break a signed code of conduct agreement, you can face disciplinary action. • Essentially, they are expectations of mutually agreed behaviour.

Ethics • Ethics (relating to ICT) are about the: • Sensible • Legal • Moral uses of ICT. • They are designed to develop and make best use of technology without taking advantage of an individual.

Activity • Read page 212 of the text book. • Look at the reasons why codes of conduct are written and the examples that are given that relate to those reasons. • Identify codes of conduct within your school and explain why they exist.

Codes of conduct: Summary • Set boundaries for what is expected from an employee. • Establish what can and can’t be done on a computer. • Provide expectations of behaviour. • Set out rights, role and responsibilities of employees. • They set out what do if an employee breaks a code of conduct. • Gives an organisation a professional standing within an industry and to its customers.

BCS code of conduct • British Computer Society (UK based). • The BCS code of conduct generalises the responsibilities that a member should abide by. • It is not as detailed and specific as an organisation may have for its workers but offers an approach from which all codes of conduct can arise from.

BCS code of conduct • It covers the following aspects: • Public Interest • Duty to relevant authority • Duty to the profession • Professional competence and integrity

Public interest • This is about: • Having respect for the environment. • Working safely for your benefit and others.

Duty to relevant authority • This is about: • Having respect for an authority which governs a member’s actions, be it an individual, client or organisation. • Using professional judgement when dealing with certain situations. • Avoiding conflict with relevant authorities. • Ensuring that personal data is not disclosed to third parties or used for personal gain.

Duty to profession • This is about promoting ICT by: • Supporting other users • Behaving in a professional manner • Taking care when making public statements

Professional competence and integrity • This is about: • Members updating their ICT knowledge and skills on a regular basis. • This also involves not claiming to know more than you do! • Members should encourage other members to work within the code of conduct. • Members take full responsibility for the work of sub-ordinates.

Activity • Read through the full BCS code of conduct. • http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=nav.6030 • Make a spider diagram for each section of the code which summarises its contents.

ACM code of ethics and professional conduct • Association of Computing Machinery (USA based). • “ACM is widely recognized as the premier membership organization for computing professionals, delivering resources that advance computing as a science and a profession; enable professional development; and promote policies and research that benefit society.” – ACM about web page.

ACM code of ethics and professional conduct • Designed to help individuals make ethical decisions and provides a formal way of making a complaint. • It is broken down into different sections: • General moral imperatives • More specific professional responsibilities • Organisational leadership imperatives • Compliance with the code

Activity • Read through this webpage. • http://www.acm.org/about/code-of-ethics • Create a spider diagram which summaries each point from the following sections: • General moral imperatives • More specific professional responsibilities • Organisational leadership imperatives • Compliance with the code

Activity • Review your two spider diagrams. • Create a Venn Diagram which shows some of the similarities and differences from both codes. You could, if you find it easier, create a table with 3 columns. ACM BCS Common

Discussing ethics • In the exam you will be expected to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of following a code of conduct. • The codes of conduct from the BCS and the ACM address ethical issues. • Therefore, you can relate your answers to principles found in BCS and the ACM codes of conducts.

Discussing ethics • Because codes of conduct aren’t laws, individuals and organisations don’t have to follow them. • This means, legally, an individual or company can benefit over those people who are actually working in accordance with the codes of conduct.

Fair Trade example(not ICT related) • This example is not suitable for an exam, but is designed to help you understand ethics. • Some companies sign up to follow the Fair Trade principles whilst others do not. • Those who do not follow the Fair Trade principles tend to make larger profits…but is this ethical? • They pay their workers far less (maybe as much as 60p per day) and make larger profits.

Activity • Complete the activity on page 216 of the text book. • For each scenario, explain what the consequences of the action would be.

3.3.6: Implications of ICT