Module E: Social Implications - Health and Ethical Issues
Hey there! Welcome to one of the most important topics in ICT. We often focus on how computers work, but it's just as crucial to understand how they affect us – our health, our society, and our sense of right and wrong. In these notes, we'll explore the real-world impact of technology. You'll learn how to use computers safely, why not everyone has equal access to technology, and how to be a responsible and ethical digital citizen. Let's get started!
1. Health Hazards and Ergonomics: Staying Safe and Comfortable
Using computers for hours every day can take a toll on our bodies if we're not careful. Let's look at the common problems and how to solve them with something called ergonomics.
What's the Problem? Common Health Hazards
Ever felt sore after a long study or gaming session? You might be experiencing one of these:
• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI): This is an injury to muscles, nerves, and tendons caused by repeating the same motion over and over again. It often affects your wrists, hands, and shoulders.
Examples: Wrist pain from constant typing or using a mouse; "gamer's thumb" from using a controller.
• Eye Strain: Staring at a bright screen for a long time can lead to tired, itchy, or dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision. Screen glare and poor lighting make it worse.
• Poor Posture Problems: Slouching in your chair or craning your neck to see the screen can cause chronic back and neck pain.
The Solution: Good Ergonomics!
Ergonomics is the science of designing and arranging things so that people can use them easily, comfortably, and safely. The goal is to fit the technology to the person, not the other way around!
Your Workspace Setup
Getting your setup right is the first step to preventing injury. Think of it as tuning your workspace for your body.
1. Your Chair: Your feet should be flat on the floor, with your knees at a 90-degree angle. Your lower back should be supported.
2. Your Desk: Your keyboard and mouse should be at a height where your elbows are bent at about a 90-degree angle and your wrists are straight.
3. Your Monitor: The top of the screen should be at or just below your eye level. It should be about an arm's length away from you.
4. Your Environment: Make sure your room has good lighting to reduce screen glare. Good ventilation is also important for staying comfortable.
Your Work Habits
Even the best setup can't help if your habits are unhealthy. Here are two simple rules to follow:
• Take Regular Breaks: Get up, stretch, and walk around for a few minutes every hour. This helps prevent muscle stiffness.
• Use the 20-20-20 Rule: To prevent eye strain, every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (about 6 metres) away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eye muscles a break.
Did you know? Software Ergonomics is a thing!
Ergonomics isn't just about furniture! It also applies to software design. Good software ergonomics makes programs less stressful and more efficient to use.
• Ease of Use: Software should be intuitive and easy to navigate, reducing frustration and mental strain.
• Consistent User Interface (UI): This is a huge one! It means that menus, icons, and buttons are in a predictable place. For example, the "Save" icon almost always looks like a floppy disk, and the "File" menu is usually in the top-left corner. This consistency means you don't have to waste mental energy searching for basic functions, making the software much more comfortable to use.
Key Takeaway: Health and Ergonomics
Ergonomics is all about making small adjustments to your setup (furniture, monitor), habits (breaks, 20-20-20 rule), and the tools you use (user-friendly software) to protect your long-term health. Stay comfortable, stay safe!
2. Equity of Access: Is the Digital World Fair for Everyone?
We're lucky to have easy access to the Internet, but that's not the case for everyone. Equity of access means ensuring that all people have a fair opportunity to use ICT, regardless of their income, location, gender, or abilities.
The Digital Divide
The most significant issue in equity is the Digital Divide. This is the gap between people who have ready access to computers and the Internet, and those who do not.
Analogy: Think of it like a highway. Some people have a multi-lane superhighway to information (fast fibre optic internet), while others are stuck on a bumpy dirt road (slow or no internet), and some have no road at all.
What causes the Digital Divide?
• Economic Factors: Some people cannot afford computers, smartphones, or expensive monthly internet plans.
• Geographic Factors: People in remote or rural areas may not have the infrastructure (like cables or cell towers) for reliable, high-speed internet.
• Skill Factors: Some people, particularly the elderly, may lack the training and skills needed to use the technology confidently.
This divide exists both on a local perspective (e.g., between wealthy and poor districts in Hong Kong) and a global perspective (e.g., between developed and developing nations).
Other Equity Issues
• Gender Equity: In some societies, cultural norms or unequal access to education can limit the ability of women and girls to access and benefit from ICT.
• Access for the Disabled: Technology can be a powerful tool for people with disabilities (e.g., screen readers that read text aloud for the visually impaired). However, if websites and software are not designed properly, they can create barriers. An inaccessible website is the digital equivalent of a building with no wheelchair ramp.
Freedom of Information: A Double-Edged Sword
The Internet gives us incredible freedom to access and share information. But this freedom has both positive and negative sides.
Pros (The Good Side)
• Promotes education and knowledge sharing.
• Supports democracy and allows citizens to hold governments accountable.
• Connects people across the world.
Cons (The Dangerous Side)
• Easy spread of misinformation and "fake news".
• Can be used for hate speech and cyberbullying.
• Access to illegal or harmful content.
Key Takeaway: Equity of Access
Access to ICT is not equal. The Digital Divide and other equity issues prevent many people from participating fully in the digital world. Creating a fair digital society means working to close these gaps and being mindful of both the benefits and dangers of free-flowing information.
3. Ethical Considerations: Doing the Right Thing Online
Just because you can do something with technology doesn't mean you should. Ethics are the moral principles that guide our behaviour. In ICT, it's about making responsible choices and considering the impact of our actions on others.
What Are Ethics in ICT?
Ethical issues are often not about what's legal, but about what's right. It's about being a good "digital citizen". Don't worry if this seems tricky at first; the main idea is to think before you act online.
Key Ethical Issues to Consider
• Privacy: How much of your personal data should companies be allowed to collect? Is it ethical to read someone's messages without permission? Is it okay to post a photo or video of a friend online without asking them first? Respecting privacy is a core ethical principle.
• Accuracy of Information: We all have an ethical responsibility to avoid spreading false information. Before sharing a shocking news story or statistic, we should ask ourselves: Is this true? Have I checked the source?
• Cyberbullying: This is a major ethical violation. It involves using ICT to harm, harass, or humiliate others. A responsible digital citizen treats others with respect and does not participate in or spread online hate.
• Intellectual Property: This refers to creations of the mind, like software, music, and movies. Is it ethical to download pirated software or films, depriving the creators of their income? This is a huge topic, but at its heart, it's about respecting other people's work.
Quick Review: The Big Ethical Questions
When you use ICT, it's good practice to ask yourself:
1. Does this respect other people's privacy?
2. Am I being truthful and accurate?
3. Could this harm or disrespect someone?
4. Am I respecting the work and property of others?
Key Takeaway: Ethical Considerations
Using technology comes with a responsibility to act ethically. This means respecting others, being honest, and considering the consequences of your online actions. Being a good digital citizen makes the Internet a better and safer place for everyone.