Technology Ethics Scenario #9

[Doug Johnson <dougj@DOUG-JOHNSON.COM>]

****************************
Please feel free to forward these scenarios to your teaching staff for
use in classroom discussions. Previous ethical scenarios can be found at
<http://www.doug-johnson.com/ethics/> along with a list of links to
other resources about technology ethics.
****************************

Scenario #9
Penelope has found a Web site that has "gross jokes" on it. She prints
the pages out and shares them with her friends.

Questions:
What is the inappropriate action?
Who committed it?
What danger or discomfort might the unethical action cause?
Is there a parallel in the physical world to this scenario?
How do you help children know the boundaries of tastelessness?
To what extent does such a judgment depend on family values?
Can you think of other incidents that would fall into this category?

Comments:
A good deal of Internet content, if not obscene, is certainly tasteless,
offensive, and lacking in educational value. Parents should define and
help their children understand the qualities and conditions under which
an item becomes inappropriate for use. Children need to understand the
concepts of pornography, racism, and sexism.

Children may access information produced by hate groups and political
extremists. Such experiences may be springboards to meaningful
discussions about propaganda and free speech issues.

Resources:
Read about how one teacher helps students compare Nazi propaganda to
current day hate groups in Jeff Carter's June 1998 Cable in the
Classroom article "High Speed High School."

****************************
Please feel free to forward these scenarios to your teaching staff for
use in classroom discussions. Previous ethical scenarios can be found at
<http://www.doug-johnson.com/ethics/> along with a list of links to
other resources about technology ethics.
****************************

Doug Johnson, Director of Media and Technology
I.S.D. 77, Mankato Public Schools
E-mail: dougj@doug-johnson.com, Web: www.doug-johnson.com "Always do
right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." Mark Twain

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) send email to:
listserv@listserv.syr.edu   In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
4) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
 See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors:
    http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=