How should we teach computer ethics? A short study done in Hong Kong

With computers becoming indispensable in our lives, society is becoming more concerned about the possible negative impacts caused by the technology. As teachers in the discipline of information systems, we have the responsibility and the resources to help people to become computer literate. With increasing knowledge and use of computers, professionals and users alike have to deal with an increasing number of ethical issues and dilemmas involving computers. Many questions thus arise. How should we teach computer ethics? Are ethics, computer or otherwise, governed or influenced by environment and culture? This paper describes a short study conducted at the City University of Hong Kong during which some issues concerning computer ethics were discussed at student interviews. The attitudes of some students who had attended a six-week sub-course on ethical and social matters related to computer use were observed and compared with those of the interviewees. The results of this pilot study are presented and analysed with the intention of arousing further discussion and research in the area of teaching computer ethics. © 1996.