Quite sometime ago I wrote about ethics in the 21st century. It is an interesting area that I think is starting to get some serious consideration by many. David Warlick has written some interesting posts recently. At the end of the day we need to be aware of the information environment students are engaging in and begin to understand the issues that this new environment raise. We then need to consider how to tackle the problems.
To the purpose of this post – I wanted to share a story I overheard from a group of teenagers this morning down at Starbucks – Hmm I have resorted to blogging my ears-dropping?!?!?! Anyway, the kids were talking about an advertisment that comes up at the movies warning people about the risks of downloading movies online. The advertisment challenges the viewer that because they wouldn’t steal a purse or break in to a house and steal a TV they shouldn’t download a movie because it is the same thing. Makes sense to me – Stealing is Stealing!! However, the insight these teens put on the conversation was interesting indeed. One said that it was a stupid argument because if someone just left a purse sitting out in the open where it was easy to get to then of course you would just take it. He continued, stating that because movies and music is so easy to download and because it is out there in the open for anyone to take so easily then it is ok.
I guess there are a number of issues to explore here. I think it is an evolution of social networks and the thinking that is being developed by young minds of today. To think that stealing is ok just because it is easy says to me that they have lost a sense of reality and which in turn distorts their understanding of what is right and wrong. So my challenge is – What could the industry do to encourage teens that it is wrong to download movies online illegally?
Thought someone may find this interesting…..
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[...] wnload and because it is out there in the open for anyone to take so easily then it is ok. 21st Century Educator » 21st Century Ethics Moller continued… I think it is an evolution of social netw [...]
[...] the distinction between rivalrous and non-rival goods. For example he writes (building on a post by his Australian doppelgänger Brett Moller): Right and wrong is the core of the issue, but I think th [...]
Brett: I think we have to do a lot more than just tell kids, “That’s wrong, don’t do that.” The response of these kids does show they may be off the mark where adults would like them to be as far as ethics, but the heart of your question is what can industry do. I think the most effective way to help people of any age learn about ethics is to use real world case studies. Perhaps industry leaders could contribute to a digital storytelling archive of real-world ethics dilemmas or situations that could be used by teachers and students as case studies to debate and discuss. The best ethics lessons I had in school were from real world case studies. We typically used case studies we read about in a book, but it could be even more engaging to have digital stories from real people to use as the dialog starters. This could be a great grant project. I am also very interested in ethics and promoting authentic ethics education / character development in school, which goes far beyond programs like “respect is our word of the week.” In addition to helping provide digital stories for ethical case studies, industry leaders could also avail themselves for videoconferences with students about ethical issues in business and elsewhere. Great question. I think this fits into a construct of “global citizenship” which I’ve blogged about a bit before and have wanted to do a skypecast on. I’ll pursue this thread more on my blog in the weeks to come, likely. Thanks for the thoughts and questions!
[...] Moller posted a good question relating to digital ethics and P2P file sharing, in his post “21st Century Ethics.” Here’s my reposed comment: Brett: I think we have to do a lot more th [...]
Hi Brett:I can relate to this. I’m teaching grade 6/7 students in a CBL ( computer based learning) class and our unit of work is all about getting a job or business and paying bills etc – Real Life stuff! Anyway One boy used a photo of another to advertise his business. Thats great, but, he didn’t ask the student or even tell him about it. The student saw his picture and read the comment replying “I didn’t say that! Who said you could use my picture?” Of course we are now revising copyright and IP values etc.
The students download from the net (inter and intra) for many research projects and they reference their work etc, however I don’t believe they really understand the true meaning of their actions. They just do it because I said thats how it is done?
Now with this incident having a direct impact on them do they begin to understand? I think so, as the boy whose picture was used has cried out with saying “I’ll sue and claim compensation!”.
The teenagers you mentioned, made the point about the music being accessible and therefore its not stealing, is also viewed by my students. They argue that they, ‘pay to access the net and they pay to download through their service providers so they have paid.’
I strongly believe that the kids of today have to learn by doing/experience as much as possable.
Technology is rapidly evolving and by them being immursed in it from a young age could only aid them for the future.
Thank you
great blog
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