Final post for Ethics and Technology Course

Taking this course has been an eye opener for me. I’ve become more aware to the dangers and seriousness of of the Internet and the crimes that can occur. I have already made some changes in the way that I use the Internet. As far and my professional life, I will share my newly gained knowledge with my third graders. I will also stop stealing things off the Internet (oops!) and inform my students of the same. I have really enjoyed taking this class. The books that were chosen we enjoyable and easy to read. I especially liked The Blue Nowhere.

Thanks Mr. Sanders!

Childrens Safety on the Internet

I've been reading a lot about the safety of the Internet and keeping children protected. I think using a filtering system is a great way to avoid some of the inappropriate material that a child has no business look at. On the other hand, many times the filter also blocks sites that shouldn't be blocked. Reading the article Children's Safety on the Internet: A Resource Guide for Parents, they gave an example of looking up the word "breast". A filter will block all porn sights as well as sights that deal with breast cancer awareness or a recipe that calls for chicken breast.
There are pros and con's to using a filtering system. Although it may be a pain, I think the pros outweigh all of the con's when it comes to the safety of children.

http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs21a-childrensafety.htm

Employee Monitoring

I understand why a business would want to check on an employee's phone calls or emails if they suspected them of wrong doing. Other than that, why would a company spend money for someone to sift through someone else's business? It's almost if they're looking for something, trying to create problems. As long as their employee is getting their job done, not harassing anyone, who cares if every once in a while they make a personal phone call on company time? I'm sure their not costing the company as much as the people who sit at a computer all day looking and listening to what other people do.

Fact Sheet 7. Workplace Privacy
Employee Monitoring: Is There Privacy in the Workplace?
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs7-work.htm

The Last chapters of Internet & Computer Ethics for Kids

Reading the last few chapters really summed up the book-cheating and lying are bad (even when you don't get caught). The police can't possibly monitor everything that happens on the Internet but it's best to use your best judgement and make decisions that you can live with. Educate yourself about the do's and don't of proper Internet usage and teach your children as well.