Ethical Implications in IT, Research Paper Example

Introduction

As the name suggests, social media is the use of technology to connect and share with the friends, relatives and family. Therefore, when the question comes as to whether these social platforms should be allowed in the work place or not it is quite debatable. The top social net working sites include face book, twitter, LinkedIn and you tube. These sites have gained a lot of popularity thanks to their easy integration to most of the mobile telephones. This means you do not need to carry with yourself a PC or net book to access them. You can easily access them from the comfort of your mobile phone wherever you are (Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, 2007).

Ethical frameworks in IT

As far as the ethical frameworks in IT are concerned, they are shallowly developed. Furthermore they differ from one country to the other thus making it hard to compare notes whenever need arises. However, there are general guidelines that govern use of IT. Some of them include the following:

1. Do not snoop into other people’s computer work
2. Never use a computer to harm other people
3. You should not use a computer to steal
4. Do not use other people’s computer information without authorization
5. Do not pirate other people’s software, music, movies or any other digital media.

A Social Media ethical framework is a plan, a guideline or a regulation that the Human Resources puts in place to control the social media users when posting and accessing any information from the website. Acceptable policies of social media in the education and work system provide employees with a clear guidance in its usage (Boase, Horrigan & Rainie, 2006). The frameworks define where, how, when and by whom the internet services offered in the organization may be accessed. The implementation of such social media policies that defines acceptable usage becomes more responsive to employee allowed for its use. It incorporates the employee feedback to the organization and safe the general look by the community in which it is operating. Social media tools may enhance productivity; employees may engage in incitement very fast, organize boycotts, demonstrations and spread illegal information that may taint the name of the organization. This is more so delicate if there are no policies put in place to control such behavior from the employees (Boase, Horrigan & Rainie, 2006).

On the other hand, social-media facilities enhance creation of awareness of the kind of education offered or provided by the institution. It helps the employee to develop information and communication skills that are necessary in work environment. For effective and efficient working, social media policies need to protect the employee from getting into the wrong hand of the law apart from the obvious rules and regulation. Such policies vary from one institution to the other depending on the level of learning, student maturity and legal requirements concerning internet use. When an employee is on the company blog, every person is watching what he or she writes. What may look fun to one may offend the other party and therefore one is required to remain polite and respectful enough when using the social media (Boase, Horrigan & Rainie, 2006).

Current impact of ethics on technology applications

The social media technologies are being explored and expanded by employers, as this continues the job fraternity will grow to get past the best possible practices with them. According to Haefner (2009), the following are the ways in which employees may use social networking sites with the applicable policies:

1. Engage with a colleague. Using this media one can engage with a friend, colleague or anew employee in the organization. Because of these, bountiful benefits are bound to be gained. Employees can also discuss about upcoming social media sites that concern them. Get to know ways to do things collaboratively and sharing personal events, this is a brilliant way to collect ideas and learn from each other’s successes and failures
2. Exploration purposes: employees can take time playing with these technologies that include social media. They can also engage in local gatherings and also try out the social media sites e.g. create a Face book account and use it with NING.
3. Look for additional supports: social media can also help employees in the organisatiopn to look for additional support from other third parties. For instance an employee in company A can tweet or face book an employee in company B asking for some supports that he thinks is not available within their organization. They will help them with the resources to support their job.

Future legislations impacts on ethics in technology

The all time known acronym PEBKAC-Problems Exist Between keyboard and Chair definitely comes into sense in today’s new social media circumstances and numerous legal risks make it essential for evident and manual policies. These include:

1. Discrimination reports: punishing and penalizing certain employees who in some cases post information that negatively affect the company`s image may lead to instances of discrimination claims.
2. Defamation claims: the company may establish that certain information posted on an employee`s personal social site may have exposed it unnecessarily to its competitors, this may lead to employee dismissal or suspension.

• Regulatory breach: there are instances where the use and sharing of information on social media sites is regulated to a certain extent for example outlining what is appropriate and what is not.

1. Confidentiality Breach: commonly occurs, an employee gives out too much information which competitors can take advantage.

Future of ethics in IT and its effect

Judging from the current trend in technology, we can say that there remains a lot to be done as far as future legislations and ethics in IT is concerned. To begin with, I anticipate that there shall be fully-fledged legislations governing use of IT tools especially social media platforms. This will then be standardized the world over so as to come with universal legislations. Secondly, I anticipate that social media will be mature enough to an existent that it will be freely used in schools, organizations among other places. There will be no more posting of substandard content and social bickering in the plat form (Horrigan, 2001).

On the ethical front, I hope that all users will have matured enough to respect each other’s dignity and not post offensive content in the social media. The resultant effect of all this advancements is that we will have a more ethically smart world that respects the law and dignity of everyone. This will enhance communication and networking not only among friends, colleagues and workmates, but also among all humanity who will be connected to the social media. I hope that it will not bring about any retaliation since this will be meant for the good of everyone.

References

Boase, J., Horrigan, J. B., Welman, B., & Rainie, L., (2006). The strength of Internet ties. Pew Internet and American Life Project.

Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C., (2007), The benefits of Face book “friends:” Social capital and college students’ use of online social network sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(4), article 1

Haefner, R., (2009), More employers screening candidates via social networking sites. Prentice Hall publishers

Horrigan, J. B. (2001). Online communities: Networks that nurture long-distance relationships and local ties. Pew Internet and American Life Project.