Social, Legal & Ethical Issues

Summary

This video explores the social, legal, and ethical issues surrounding the development and acceptance of new systems and technologies. It covers the impact on people’s work and relationships, such as job displacement and the rise of virtual communities. Legal issues like privacy, copyright, and work health and safety are examined, alongside ethical concerns such as data use and access. The video emphasizes the importance of developing systems that are socially responsible, legally compliant, and ethically sound, ensuring that technology supports users' well-being, privacy, and access to meaningful data.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social, legal, and ethical issues are key factors in the development and acceptance of new systems and technologies.
• 😀 Social issues refer to how technology impacts people's interactions, such as the changing nature of work, workplace morale, and job loss due to automation.
• 😀 Virtual communities can be a positive tool for social interaction, particularly for individuals with disabilities or introverted personalities, but can also lead to negative effects like cyberbullying.
• 😀 Interpersonal relationships can be maintained through technology, especially in times like the COVID-19 lockdown, where video conferencing allowed families and work teams to stay connected.
• 😀 Legal issues are governed by laws that must be followed, such as privacy laws (Privacy Act 1988) and copyright laws (Copyright Act 1968), with serious consequences for non-compliance.
• 😀 Copyright laws protect creators' ownership of information and products, ensuring they are credited and compensated for their work, while also specifying how materials can be used.
• 😀 Work health and safety laws (Work Health and Safety Act 2011) ensure that systems developed do not cause harm, such as eye strain from bright graphics or unsafe workplace conditions.
• 😀 Ethical issues are based on community morals and values, such as the appropriate use of technology, handling of user data, and ensuring that systems serve ethical purposes.
• 😀 The access to information should be controlled based on user roles within organizations, ensuring only relevant personnel can view, edit, or share sensitive data.
• 😀 Data quality is crucial for system effectiveness, focusing on accuracy, integrity, and accessibility, ensuring that users can access meaningful, up-to-date, and usable information.

Q & A

What are social, legal, and ethical issues in the context of technology systems?

Social, legal, and ethical issues guide the development and acceptance of new systems. Social issues deal with the impact on people’s interactions, legal issues are concerned with the laws that govern technology use, and ethical issues relate to the morals and values of communities regarding technology.

What is the impact of new systems on workplace morale?

The introduction of new systems can lead to job loss or skill obsolescence, which affects individuals’ self-esteem and motivation. These changes can also alter how people interact with one another in the workplace, creating a sense of fear or insecurity.

How do virtual communities impact people?

Virtual communities, such as those on social media and gaming platforms, allow people to interact and express themselves in digital environments. While they can provide valuable social connections, they also pose risks like cyberbullying and online abuse.

What role did technology play in maintaining interpersonal relationships during the COVID-19 lockdowns?

Technology, particularly video conferencing software, helped maintain interpersonal relationships during the COVID-19 lockdowns by allowing people to communicate with family, friends, and coworkers despite physical isolation.

What is the Privacy Act 1988, and why is it important?

The Privacy Act 1988 governs how businesses manage personal data. It sets out 13 privacy principles that organizations must follow to ensure they are compliant with the law and protect individuals’ privacy rights.

What does the Copyright Act 1968 address?

The Copyright Act 1968 protects the ownership of intellectual property by ensuring that creators or copyright holders are acknowledged and compensated when their work is used, and it regulates how copyrighted material can be distributed or reproduced.

How does the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 impact system design?

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 ensures that systems developed for the workplace do not cause harm to employees. It requires that safety regulations, such as preventing eye strain from excessive screen time, be incorporated into the design of systems.

What are the ethical concerns regarding the appropriate use of ICT?

The ethical concerns around ICT involve how user data is handled, shared, and tracked. Companies must balance the benefits of data usage, such as for targeted advertising, with the potential for privacy violations and user frustration.

What is the significance of access control to information in systems?

Access to information within a system must be controlled based on job roles to ensure privacy, prevent misuse, and reduce the risk of security breaches. Only authorized individuals should be able to view or modify certain data.

What is data quality, and why is it important in system development?

Data quality refers to the accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of data. High-quality data is up-to-date, reliable, and easy for users to access, which enhances the effectiveness of systems and supports users in completing their tasks.