Ethics in the digital age

As technology advances, It is necessary to reflect on the current world in which we live. Taking into account this, in this article we will explore what digital ethics is about, its principles, examples and applications.

The need for a standard in this area It helps us think about our place in the digitalized world we inhabit. The objective is not to lose the man vs. computer battle, if such a confrontation exists. This issue is analyzed in the next sections.

What is digital ethics?

According to an article published by the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, the Digital ethics is the study of ethical and professional behavior in digital media. In that sense, what this field of knowledge seeks is to strengthen the security of the information provided to users.

We know that we constantly provide data to computer systems. Having an ethical perspective on this very common act is useful for future information processing.

Therefore, ethics applied to the digitalized world seeks mediate between human beings and technology in terms of its responsible use. In addition, it raises questions regarding possible damages due to the omission of certain rules.

Principles of digital ethics

Ethics in the digital sphere seeks preserve the human being and his dignity as a person, in the face of technological advance. Due to this, not only the ethical dimension is combined, but also the law.

For example, one of the items in the ENIA report of the Government of Spain is to establish a ethical and regulatory framework to reinforce individual and collective rights, in order to guarantee the inclusion and well-being of users and parties involved in the use of these technological tools.

This report is not the only one that lists a series of ethical principles that problematize new artificial generative technologies. In several European countries, regulations are emerging in this regard, which attempt to regulate and protect human beings in the digital sphere.

In this regard, the Universidad Pontificia Comillas made a synthesis of these rules, with the purpose of establishing relevant ethical principles that we will immediately comment on:

transparency, non-maleficence, responsible use, justice and equity, freedom and autonomy, confidentiality of private information.

Examples of digital ethics

Once we know what these principles are, we can explore some examples where ethics is applied in this area, such as responsible use of social media, data management, cyberbullying, cybercrime, and artificial intelligence.

Responsible use on social networks

Responsible use of social networks, according to the University of Zaragoza, is Be aware of what we publish, because everything is immortalized on the web. Furthermore, another important aspect involves the protection of personal data specified in the terms and conditions of social networks, something that, probably, none of us value.

Despite the protection policies of different technology services companies, much of our data is in cyberspace. So how do you proceed in that case?

Ethics in the use of personal data

The use of personal data on the Internet, in certain scenarios, has malicious or positive purposes. In this sense, an article from the International Development Bank supports the need to protect the security and privacy of personal data. How to do it? The axes to consider when using this sensitive information are the following:

efficiency, transparency, responsibility, commitment to citizen rights and freedoms.

Furthermore, this information processing must contemplate consent, anonymity and guarantee data security. This ethical management applies throughout its useful life, that is, always being present.

Cyberbullying and cybercrimes

The lack of ethics applied to digital media and, mainly, social networks, may lead to cyberbullying activities. This is defined as those behaviors that, through the use of information and communications technologies, generate harassment to individuals (Verdejo Espinosa, 2015). These behaviors involve the following factors:

surveillance, threats, false accusations, identity theft, use of personal data without consent.

Another form of cyberbullying is cyberbullying. According to Unicef, this consists of the internet use and connection on-line of games or applications, to inflict psychological harassment between peers.

Lastly, the grooming It is another form of cyberbullying. In this case, it is harassment carried out by an adult towards a minor. The first seeks to deliberately create a relationship, in order to commit sexual abuse.

Ethics and artificial intelligence

Ethics applied to artificial intelligence is a human-centered proposal (Cortina Orts, 2019). In this sense, it is about understanding that Artificial intelligence is an instrument that improves or helps human beings. Therefore, intelligent systems must be subordinate to people.

This is the reason why there is a proliferation of rules that seek to ethically guide artificial intelligence. The basis of these proposals is the trust in intelligent systems. This recreates the precept that all these laws and guidelines are framed in the recognition of human autonomy in the face of new technologies.

Risks of lack of digital ethics

In today’s digital age, the lack of ethical aspects carries significant risks, one of them is the illegitimate application of artificial intelligence.

Regarding this topic, an article from the National University of Costa Rica points out that politics is an affected field, since much information essential for its legitimate exercise could be affected by technological tools with a tendency to manipulate electoral campaigns, for example.

The private world of each of us can also be damaged. Privacy is increasingly limited by unethical technological invasion. Along with this, data and information navigate the Internet without us knowing very well where they are going. Ethical use in the digital age provides greater control and safeguards our integrity.

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