“Ethics Online” Shaping social behavior online takes more than new laws and modified edicts. Deborah G. Johnson Communications of the ACM Vol. 40, No. 1 / Jan ‘97

Special Characteristics of Communication in Networks What characteristics of online communication make it morally different from offline behavior?

Scope Individuals have a much broader reach than they do offline –# of individuals reached –Speed –Availability Actions have greater power –Expectations for those engaged in powerful activities to take great care

Anonymity Individuals can communicate: Without identity Using pseudonyms Using different personas Using someone else’s identity and words

Anonymity Issues Problem of Integrity: Disconnect of words from person Trust: Difficult to develop in an environment in which one cannot be sure of the identities of the people with whom one is communicating. It is difficult to develop a reliable history of experiences with specific people.

Reproducibility Information can be reproduced online without loss of value and in such a way that the originator or holder of the information would not notice.

Reproducibility Issues Facilitates Surveillance (Recordable and Observable) Endurance or permanence (Increased Scope) Integrity of information Property and privacy “An owner can control the use of her or his property.”

Benefits and Dangers Brings people together Opportunity for increased exchange of ideas and information Reproducibility: –Possible to make massive amounts of information available to many –Opportunity for theft, sabotage

Anonymity: Benefits Fair treatment Facilitate participation in activities More likely to say what one thinks Provide better, more creative feedback

Anonymity: Dangers Process of identifying and catching criminals more difficult Frees individuals to behave in undesirable and harmful ways –“Being observed and identified by others seems to serve as a form of social control on undesirable behavior, one that is not present online.”

Anonymity: Dangers Anonymity contributes to the lack of integrity of online information. –Trust sources based on experience Identities of sources of information are uncertain Words can be stolen and altered

Diminished Trust One cannot put one’s trust in information and individuals online due to: Not knowing who one is communicating with Communication vulnerable to sabotage Individuals are more likely to behave in undesirable ways when they are anonymous

Variety and Consent Promoting trust Individuals should be informed what to expect when entering an online environment Variety of environments –High level of trust –High degree of anonymity –Mixed Dealing with individuals who break the rules

Conclusions and Suggestions Law and technology not enough to solve online behavioral problems –Individuals must internalize norms of behavior Ethical issues similar to offline

General Rules for Online Ethics 1. Know the rules of the forums in which you communicate and follow them. 2. Respect the privacy and property rights of others. When in doubt, assume the user wants privacy and ownership. 3. Respect the individuals with whom you communicate and those who are affected by your communication; that is, do not deceive, defame, or harass.