Computer addiction and unethical behavior in youth

Ethics and Addiction

It is a common observation that children and teenagers these days are exposed more to technology and it is required more than ever. If teenagers and youngsters are further exposed to computer, being an important part of technology, it can expose greater risks and can have consequences in the later stages of life. There is an increased usage of MP3 players, cell phones, and laptops at ages that are not considered mature for an exposure to these technologies. Ethical or unethical, when the children reach their mature ages, they have almost learned many ways of using these technologies. Some of the main ways of using these technologies may interfere with standards and code of ethics set for the usage of technology. This paper will highlight the consequences of computer addiction especially in relation to safeguarding data (Roberts, 2010, p. 34).

Computer Addiction

Before the age of personal computers, the term 'computer addiction' was lesser used. There is a great dispute over the fact if computer addiction can be termed as proper addiction in accordance to the standards defined by psychiatry. It has been argued that individuals involved in computer based activities in a more pre-occupied way may be addicted to these activities. These individuals sometime also exhibit withdrawal symptoms that are usually seen in the case of addicts when they are placed in a situation where an access to computer is impossible.

Many factors have significantly played roles in an increase in computer addiction and these include a combination of MP3 players with PCs as well as internet. Internet has been an important factor of addiction as all kinds of leisure activities have been made possible based on data availability on the internet such that copyright infringement and piracy is somewhat acceptable in the world of internet. In the case of data availability, it has been seen that newer trends have been set by peer-to-peer file sharing through which songs, software, and movies can be downloaded for free (Young, and de Abreu, 2010, p. 56). These peer-to-peer channels are an important way to avoid payments and normal distribution channels.

It has been highlighted that computer hacking became more popular in 1990s and since then there has been an increase in prosecutions and crimes of computer hacking. In some cases, these computer hackers were placed in rehabilitative therapy programs. These rehabilitation programs made sure that computer addiction was considered more as a condition; even if at that time, there were no treatments or diagnostic procedures available.

Computer Addiction and Unethical Behavior

Question is what influences an individual into committing cybercrimes based on computer addiction and getting involved in unethical activities. One of the main factors as highlighted by the authors includes an acceptance to the lack of consequences of past behaviors or behaviors of the peers. Here the main example is a complete lack of younger people to accept the consequences of free downloading from the internet. Thereby when an individual participates in an illegal and an unethical activity once and goes unnoticed, there are greater chances that the same individual will repeat the activity. It has been highlighted that 89% of computer science students in any university in U.S. are liable to commit cybercrime online.

Secondly, addictive behaviors also depend on an increased usage of drugs or substance abuse (Ross, 2008, p. 23). It has been highlighted by the authors that many addicts have a longer history of substance abuse or addiction. Secondly if an individual spends more time on the internet than there are many opportunities for that individual to commit a cybercrime because of the fact of higher and an increased involvement with the internet environment. When for an individual there are no proper coping mechanisms than there are chances that the opportunities can be used in the future to participate in cybercrimes.

Thirdly, low economic and financial opportunities also are an important factor. There is no denying the fact that low economic opportunities, no job opportunities and lesser pay also increase the chances of cybercrimes being committed by teenagers and youngsters.

Ethical implications of the use of networks, and computers may be misunderstood by computer addicts based on an ease of access to these technologies. Here it is important to highlight that the cybercriminals are not usually aware of the consequences that their crimes have on their victims. As there is no personal contact between the criminal and the victim; thereby it lets the cybercriminal believe that no crime has been committed. In that way, as compared to normal crimes, there are lesser chances in the case of cybercriminals to see what ethical offenses and crimes they have committed.

Finally, current state of moral values plays an important role in an increase of cybercrimes and computer addiction (Shelly, and Vermaat, 2009, p. 55). According to the Gallup Poll of 2004, state of moral values in these days is worse as compared to the previous days. Since there is a great link between perceived moral standards and moral values, a decline in the moral values would eventually lead to a great fall in the ethical standards.

Avoiding Data Breach in Organizations

The effects of computer addiction and an additional risk of data breach can be prevented by the organizations. It is important that sound HR screening programs are started by the organizations that can screen the employees for any signs of compulsive behaviors that include addiction. Maintenance of management atmosphere can also help in keeping an eye on any addictive behaviors being shown by the employees.

Ethical Problems and Computer Addiction

Compulsive behaviors may lead to ethical problems including computer addiction. These kinds of compulsive behaviors are observed on a daily basis. It has been highlighted by the authors that there is an acceptable use policy implicated on the students in academic institutions and on the daily basis, without regarding the restrictions placed by these policies, students work against the policy. According to the policy, computers within the universities can only be used for academic purposes only. The policy has highlighted that computers in an academic environment should not be used for online sharing, downloading, social networking and gaming (Nykodym, Ariss, & Kurtz, 2008, p. 7). But in the campuses and academic institutions, it is seen that the students usually sit in for social networking and gaming. Thereby, from here it can be seen that either the students don't want to follow the policies or they don't want to understand the restrictions placed in the policies.

The authors have highlighted that gaming has an addictive potential based on the fact that there are strong cognitive components involved that include a strong expectation of a positive outcome. Other than gaming, gambling is a behavior that leads to certain compulsive behaviors and addiction (Roberts, 2010, p. 54).

Conclusion

Occurrence of computer addition cannot be denied even though there is no diagnosis available. Based on this addiction there are many organizations facing ethical dilemmas. Data breach is an important threat faced by the organizations and in these cases it is important that employees being hired are screened for ant signs of addiction. Ethical dilemmas are faced by the addicted individuals as they are not aware of the consequences faced by their activities by their victims as they are not in touch with their victims.