Understanding ethical perspectives and standards

¶ … Online discussion and identity: An examination of discussion forums on a theme-based website" demonstrates that I understand ethical perspectives/standards. Body politics is a sensitive issue and the way in which we approach that issue has implications for our online communication. It was found that "In addition, a user can make a conclusion regarding what a person looks like physically and what their gender is based on their posts and responses." This opens the door to treating different members in different ways based on these perceptions, even if the perceptions are inaccurate.

The study also revealed that there are differences in the way that people communicate based on assumptions about gender, age and other criteria. The prevailing ethical standards in our society are that everybody should be treated equally. This is particularly relevant to online communication because for the most part people's true identities are hidden. That not everybody is treated equally -- that people respond to posts based on their perception of the gender/age/race of the user -- raises serious ethical issues about online communication. The World Wide Web is not a place where society's boundaries are stripped away, but it is a place where the same boundaries are applied regardless of their accuracy or relevance. Arguable, that is communication to a lower ethical standard than when race/age/gender is known.

With interpersonal communication, there is always an ethical context in that we each wish to be treated as equals in a discussion, and have our arguments debated on their own merits rather than on the merits of the speaker. The study noted a case where an online discussion about abortion pushed the boundaries of civility but ultimately the issue was settled amicably between the two parties. "It was almost as if they were going to break out in flame war…however they did not." In this situation, ethical norms were upheld by the community. The LucasForums have rules that are posted in advance of joining; these rules are also enforced by both official and unofficial moderators. The society that is created in the LucasForums therefore has its ethical norms set by rules, official enforcement and unofficial societal enforcement.

Experienced users -- members of that society -- are expected to understand and adhere to the ethical norms concerning communication among each other. It was found that this was the case. With new users, however, it was found that the community's ethical norms shifted depending on the community's perception of the new user. For those engaged in online communication, this distinction is a key lesson with respect to ethical communication. The ethics standards by which the communication will be conducted are variable for certain members, and both those members and the forum moderators (who ultimately set the societal norms with regards to ethical communication) must be aware of this ethical shift.