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Defining web ethics

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Abstract

The design of Web browsers has resulted in a transfer of power to Web users and developers who often lack an ethical framework in which to act. For example, the technology makes it simple to copy and use other people’s Web page formatting without their permission. The author argues that we need to educate more people about ethical Web practices, and the author asks for “rules of the road” which amateurs and professionals can understand and follow. This article discusses four areas of concern about Web development: the browser wars, information storage and retrieval, access for the handicapped, and cookies. For teachers, there are suggestions on how to use browsers to help students learn about Web ethics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1304 W. Springfield Avenue, 61801, Urbana, IL, USA

    Marsha Woodbury Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Marsha Woodbury Ph.D.
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“We are all idiots and we are going to make mistakes.” Scott Adams

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Woodbury, M. Defining web ethics. SCI ENG ETHICS 4, 203–212 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-998-0050-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-998-0050-x

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