Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 12
Legal, Ethical, Health,
and Environmental
Issues in Computing
Legal Issues in
Computing
Learning objectives
Ethical Issues in
Computing
◽
Be aware of the legal issues that arise from using computers and the
Internet
Health Issues in
Computing
◽
Understand how to use the Internet in an ethical manner
◽
Understand the potential impact on health when using a computer
Environmental Issues in
Computer Disposal
◽
Be aware of what to consider when disposing of a computer
This chapter moves
beyond the technical aspects of working with computers and
software to examine the legal and ethical issues related to computer use. These
issues range from the legal ownership of online content to the ethical options for
acquiring and using software, as well as what is appropriate (and inappropriate)
online activity. This chapter also covers various health risks posed by computer use
and the appropriate methods for disposing of computer hardware.
Legal Issues in.Computing
Nearly everything we do in life is governed by laws of one sort or another. Not sur-
prisingly, these laws extend to cover our use of computers and the Internet. Legal
issues in computing are complex, however. Whereas we are usually governed by the
laws of the country in which we reside, the Internet is global, and different coun-
tries have different laws. That means you might access Internet content in your web
browser that is regulated by local law, but the content itself is hosted on a server in
another jurisdiction, and as such is governed by another set of rules. What is legal
