Description

Over the last thirty years I have seen the expansion of social media, online classrooms and Ai. This expansion has allowed people to stay connected, even when far away, and has aided in sourcing and finding information substantially. However, it has also raised concerns with cyber security, cyber bulling and misinformation. Leading us to consider a code of ethics to keep us safe and what it might look like within the cyber world.

Feelings

Toni Falusi describes a general code of ethics as a guide of moral principles that most people already abide by in their daily lives (4.3, 2024). Though this may be true I find it hard to believe that there will be one code of ethics that everyone will agree upon. The internet is such a large interface and used by so many people with differing values, beliefs and backgrounds. That finding a shared code of ethics seems difficult. I would like to believe that we could find a way to keep youth safe online and create a more ethical environment, but I am currently torn on how that might look.

Evaluation

A shared code of ethics online might look like asking people to treat others the way you want to be treated. Respect each other, don’t steal from or harass anyone else. Use the internet how it was originally intended, to be a means of communication and have a vast database of information (National Science and Media Museum, n.d.).  While the idea of a shared code of ethics is idealistic and one I hope we could move toward. There are some drawbacks including but not limited to the freedom of speech, creativity and different personal values. What one person may think is appropriate, another could find it oppressive of harmful. Even if most of us could agree to a general code of ethics there is no way of keeping those who are opposed to it from continuing to use the internet negatively.

Analysis

Say we could develop a code of ethics and are able to monitor it well. Would there be consequences for not abiding by the shared code of ethics? Currently online there is a vigilante movement called “cancel culture”. When most people find an influencer say something offensive, they work together to punish them (Roy, 2026). While I commend people for taking a stance and trying to make the internet a safer place. I think we need more structured rules to abide by with structured punishments that fit the crime.  Like society, if someone is harassed, police can be called and they can hand out punishment fit for the crime.

Conclusion

My stance hasn’t changed much; I still believe that there is no clear answer to this question. In general society we are more likely to abide by a code of ethics. However online I believe with the anonymity makes people feel as though they can get away with more. I think most people are using the internet correctly, and those who are not are most likely not going to abide by a structured set of rules either.

Action Plan

Maybe there is a way we can section the internet e.g. we could make one section of the internet safer by making sure it is monitored and abides by a code of ethics but leave the rest of the internet as it is. We could use the monitored section to introduce the internet to children so they have a safe place to explore and learn, then as they mature, they can assimilate to the rest of the internet.