Comments on: Cyber-Ethics and Cyber-Crime

By: Erin Childers

Erin Childers — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:03:48 +0000

“So what say you: Is it always morally wrong to create false web identities? Does it depend on the intention, or is it somehow wrong in itself?”
In reply to Rosenstand’s question: Of course it is wrong to create falsities intentionally (or as sometimes professed, unintentionally). Unless creating a didactic story designed at preventing such unfortunate tragedies, as the suicide of young Megan Meier, there is certainly never going to be a morally just cause in creating a false identity. It is an unfortunate society that we all must endure to think that some may find it “OK” that this type of behavior is somehow warranted and or accepted. Whether it is a 13yr old or a 45yr old, never will I believe the cruelty of a world in which people can find a fault within the victim of such a lack of morality within a failing system. That is exactly what is wrong in, not only our culture, but within the world as a whole (or shattered pieces of). I would like to add that I am glad that a Los Angeles (Home of MySpace) court has decided to prosecute the (adult) perpetrator of this unfortunate tragedy. The internet is a wonderful tool in the progression of technology, but has also become a weapon of choice in the ethically defunct mind of the criminal. Lack of morality… I see it in all conceivable places.

By: Charlette Lin

Charlette Lin — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:42:53 +0000

I do not think that the action of lying in itself is immoral. If grandma is on her deathbed and lying to her will let her die a peaceful death, then just lie to her.

To me, an action is immoral if it causes suffering. It doesn’t matter if this lady did it herself or paid a boy to cause suffering onto the 13 year old girl; both actions are immoral because the result would have caused psychological harm.

Even if the 13 year old girl did something wrong to the daughter of this woman, she should be taught/shown how to be kinder or what-not… not punished in such a cruel way. Social acceptance at that age is extremely important to an individual. I remember being very obnoxious (I might still be… hopefully less so though) when I was 13 years old because I did not know better. In our society, people of that age are still children and have a lot to learn–as well as have a lot of potential to become amazing people.

By: Sheyri E

Sheyri E — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:14:57 +0000

Lying is lying! It does make a big difference of the intentions of there is behind ones lie. I think it depends if a person is lying for a good cause or for a bad cause. If you’re lying to protect someone or to prevent a catastrophe from occurring then your intentions are to be as good of a person as you can. If behind your lie you’re still being a just person with others and you still care for others, where others are more important to you than yourself. Maybe at this point it is acceptable to say a lie, because there is a good reason of saying it once. But what if behind one lie there’s another lie and people are being harmed and you’re treating people unfairly behind all your lies, and all you show to care for is yourself and not about others. In this situation I would suggest lying is unacceptable, because all you seem to be showing is to be selfish an unfair. I think that what really matters in a person’s actions in being honest or dishonest with their identity is the meaning behind why they are pretending to be that person.

By: Huan

Huan — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:36:23 +0000

What if the mom paid some boy to befriend her in real life and then dumped her? Would that have had any legal ramifications? We often pretend to be who we’re not to manipulate people, and for the most part this isn’t illegal at all as far as I know. So why is it different on the internet? I mean of course it’s easier to do it on the internet, it doesn’t take a master of the human psyche to put up pictures of someone who isn’t you, but it seems to be the same concept as plain old manipulation of emotions.