Learning Objectives / Whāinga Ako

• Define what "digital ethics" and "digital society" mean.

• Identify key ethical considerations when using and creating digital technologies.

• Understand the positive and negative impacts of digital technologies on society.

• Explain the importance of being a responsible digital citizen.

Getting Started / Whakataki (Prior Knowledge Required)

To get the most out of learning about Digital Ethics & Society, it's helpful to have a clear understanding of:

• End-User: Do you understand that digital technologies are created for people and that their needs should be considered?

• Digital Devices: Are you familiar with various digital tools and objects?

Quick Check: Think about a social media app. What are some good things it brings to people's lives? Are there any potential downsides or problems it can cause? This is a great way to start thinking about digital ethics!

What are Digital Ethics and Digital Society?

Digital ethics is about the moral principles and values that guide our behaviour and decisions when we use and create digital technologies. It asks: "Just because we can do something with technology, should we?" It involves thinking about what is right, fair, and responsible in the digital world.

Digital society refers to how digital technologies have changed and continue to shape human interactions, culture, economies, and politics. It's the new way we live, work, and connect because of the internet and digital devices.

These two concepts are deeply linked. As our society becomes more digital, the ethical choices we make about technology have a greater impact on individuals and communities.

How It Works / Me Pēhea te Mahi

Digital technologies have a huge impact, both positive and negative. Understanding these impacts helps us make ethical choices and use technology for good. 

Positive Impacts:

• Connection & Communication: Easier to connect with friends, family, and communities worldwide (e.g., video calls, social media).

• Access to Information & Learning: Vast amounts of knowledge are easily accessible (e.g., online encyclopedias, educational websites like this one!).

• Innovation & Problem Solving: New technologies help solve complex global challenges (e.g., medical research, environmental monitoring).

• Economic Growth: Creates new jobs, industries, and ways to do business.

• Cultural Sharing: Allows sharing of different cultures, languages, and art forms globally.

Negative Impacts & Ethical Challenges:

• Privacy Concerns: How much personal data is collected? Who has access to it? (Privacy is a key concern here.)

• Cyberbullying & Harassment: The ease of online communication can be misused to harm others.

• Misinformation & Disinformation: False or misleading information can spread rapidly, influencing opinions and decisions.

• Digital Divide: Not everyone has equal access to digital technologies, leading to inequalities.

• Addiction & Mental Health: Excessive screen time or social media use can impact well-being.

• Bias in AI: If Artificial Intelligence is trained on biased data, it can make unfair decisions.

• Environmental Impact: The energy used by data centers and discarded digital devices (e-waste) has an environmental cost.

Being a responsible digital citizen means being aware of these impacts and making choices that contribute to a positive, safe, and fair digital society for everyone. This aligns with Māori values like Manaakitanga (showing care and respect) and Kaitiakitanga (guardianship and stewardship for resources), ensuring we protect both people and the digital environment.

Assessment / Te Aromatawai

Check your understanding of Digital Ethics & Society.

1. Multiple Choice: What does "digital ethics" primarily focus on?

   • a) How fast a computer can process information.

   • b) The moral principles and responsible choices in using digital technology.

   • c) The different types of computer hardware.

   • d) How to design a visually appealing website.

2. Short Answer: Name one positive impact and one negative impact of digital technologies on society.

3. Scenario: A company creates a new app that uses facial recognition to identify people in public places.

   • What is one major ethical concern this app might raise?

   • How might this relate to an end-user's privacy?

Key Takeaways / Mātauranga

• Digital ethics involves making responsible choices about technology.

• Digital society is how technology shapes our lives and interactions.

• Digital technologies have both positive (e.g., connection, access to info) and negative (e.g., privacy issues, misinformation) impacts.

• Being a responsible digital citizen means using technology in ways that benefit individuals and society, aligning with values like Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga.

What's Next?

Now that you've thought about the important societal and ethical aspects of digital technologies, you're ready to explore concepts that directly relate to protecting people and their information in the digital world:

• Privacy: Dive deeper into the right to control your personal information in the digital age.

• Computer Security: Learn about the measures taken to protect digital systems and data from harm.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Explore the ethical considerations unique to AI development and use.

• Big Data: Understand the ethical challenges and responsibilities associated with collecting and analyzing massive amounts of digital information.

• Network Communication Protocols: Explore how protocols facilitate communication while also raising ethical considerations around data use and access (e.g., net neutrality, surveillance). 

Continue your journey by clicking on the links to these exciting topics.