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Health, inclusion, professionalism and the law
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Technology changes how we live and work. Some effects are on our bodies, some on fairness in society, and some are set by law.
Health
Long hours at screens and keyboards can cause eye strain, repetitive strain injury (RSI) in hands and wrists, and back and neck problems from poor posture.
Screens late at night can disrupt sleep.
Reduce the risks with regular breaks, good posture, adjustable chairs and screens, and ergonomic keyboards and mice.
Screens late at night can disrupt sleep.
Reduce the risks with regular breaks, good posture, adjustable chairs and screens, and ergonomic keyboards and mice.
Inclusion and professionalism
Inclusion: not everyone has equal access to technology. The digital divide is the gap between people who have good access and those who do not, because of cost, where they live, age or skills.
Accessibility features such as screen readers, captions and voice control help disabled people use technology.
Professionalism: computing professionals should be honest, competent and act in the public interest. Professional bodies, such as BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, publish codes of conduct.
Accessibility features such as screen readers, captions and voice control help disabled people use technology.
Professionalism: computing professionals should be honest, competent and act in the public interest. Professional bodies, such as BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, publish codes of conduct.
Law and cyber-security
Laws protect people and organisations. In the UK, for example:
The Computer Misuse Act 1990 makes it illegal to access a computer system without permission, to do so intending to commit a further crime, or to change or damage data or systems without permission (for example by spreading malware).
Copyright and data protection laws protect creative work and personal data.
The Computer Misuse Act 1990 makes it illegal to access a computer system without permission, to do so intending to commit a further crime, or to change or damage data or systems without permission (for example by spreading malware).
Copyright and data protection laws protect creative work and personal data.
A student hacks into the school network to look at test answers. Which law has been broken?
- They accessed a computer system without permission.
- That is unauthorised access.
Answer: The Computer Misuse Act 1990 (unauthorised access)
Technology can cause eye strain, RSI and posture problems. The digital divide and accessibility affect inclusion. Professionals follow codes of conduct. The Computer Misuse Act 1990 makes unauthorised access and modification illegal.
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