4. Ethics & integrity online

There are many recurring issues about ethics and morality online. Parents and youth have concerns over the ethics of privacy and data security online, as well as the sea of misinformation and aggressive and predatory behavior.

Privacy and Data Security:

While aware of data collection practices, young people continue to share personal information online, showing a gap between knowledge and behavior.

Social Media and Mental Health:

Awareness of social media’s impact on mental health is growing, with concerns about cyberbullying and unrealistic standards. Many advocate for better regulation to protect mental well-being.

Misinformation:

While aware of fake news, young people struggle with verifying online content, emphasizing the need for digital literacy.

Cancel Culture:

Opinions are divided, with some supporting it as a tool for accountability, while others question its fairness and impact on open dialogue.

Consent and relationships

Emphasis on digital consent in online relationships, highlighting the need for education on healthy online interactions.

Influencer Culture:

There’s a demand for transparency and responsible marketing from influencers, with concerns about inauthenticity and materialism.

These are the moral and ethical issues we usually blame the internet for.

The tool or the toolmakers?

Nowadays, we often refuse to consider the internet simply as a tool which reflects the thoughts and habits of its users - us.

In The Web We Weave, Jeff Jarvis explores the internet’s role in modern society, emphasizing that the numerous challenges we face online, such as racism, divisiveness, and misinformation, are not caused by technology itself but by human actions.

I agree with him wholeheartedly. The internet is not entirely to blame. Morality and ethics online are a reflection of our human thoughts, actions, and systems of design. The internet only brings to light (on a massive scale) the current thoughts our human society enjoys entertaining.

Jarvis advocates for individual responsibility in shaping the digital world and believes that we can change the internet’s course.

However, I’ve seen firsthand how individual responsibility is tough, especially in the face of rapidly changing technology. It’s up to developers, psychologists, and caring individuals to work together as part of the global community to shape the future of the digital world in a healthier and more equitable way.

Jarvis rejects the idea of heavy state regulation. Instead, he suggests solutions like education, moral suasion, and social pressure to reform online conduct.

This suggestion is far more community oriented.

While acknowledging the manipulative nature of the internet’s business model, Jarvis believes that improving creativity and civic engagement online is the key, rather than abandoning the internet.

Health and self-help ✨🌍

I notice that the poor moral and ethical nature of the online world is often due to its design.

Unhealthy designs intensify unhealthy behavior.

But healthy designs are on the way.

Jarvis believes that online morals and ethics on the internet can improve when we begin to improve ourselves, and create things from this improved state.

Thus begins the journey of self-improvement.

Only then can we design the healthiest and most fulfilling systems for both the real world and the online world.

The world you wanna see.