Computer Science
Grade 7
20 min
Technology and Society
Technology and Society
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define key ethical terms like digital footprint, copyright, and privacy.
Identify potential ethical issues in a given technology scenario or simple program.
Apply a simple ethical framework to decide on a responsible course of action online.
Explain the importance of protecting personal data when designing a program.
Analyze how an algorithm could unintentionally lead to unfair or hurtful outcomes.
Properly attribute or give credit to the original creators of digital content they use.
You found the perfect song for your new coding project, but is it okay to just use it? 🤔 Let's explore the rules of the road for technology!
Just like there are rules for how we behave in the real world, there are rules for how we act online and build new technology....
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Digital FootprintThe trail of data, posts, comments, and pictures you leave behind every time you go online.Liking a photo on social media, posting a comment on a video, and even the websites you visit all become part of your permanent digital footprint.
CopyrightA legal right that protects the original work of an author, artist, or programmer, giving them control over who can copy, share, and use their creation.You can't copy the code for a popular game like Minecraft and sell it as your own because it is protected by copyright.
PrivacyThe right to have control over your personal information and to keep it secure from others.An app asking for your exact location, your contacts, and your date of birth is a privacy concern because that is sensitive personal infor...
3
Core Syntax & Patterns
The 'Credit Where Credit Is Due' Pattern
IF (using_someone_elses_work) THEN
check_for_permission()
give_credit_to_creator()
END IF
Use this control structure as a mental checklist whenever you use something you didn't create yourself, like an image, a song, or a block of code. Always check if you have permission and always give credit.
The 'Protect Private Data' Function
FUNCTION handle_data(user_information):
IF (user_information is 'private') THEN
ask_for_consent()
keep_it_secure()
ELSE
handle_as_public_data()
END IF
END FUNCTION
When your program needs to handle user information (like names, emails, or locations), use this logic. Always treat private data with extra care by asking for permission (consent) and keepin...
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Challenging
You are building an app for a school club that lets members share photos from events. To respect members' privacy, you design the app so that photos are automatically deleted after 30 days. This design choice is a direct application of which two concepts from the tutorial?
A.Privacy-First Design and protecting personal data.
B.Copyright and Digital Source Citation.
C.Bias Detection and the 'Finders, Keepers' Fallacy.
D.Digital Footprint and Constructive Online Communication.
Challenging
The tutorial warns against the 'Finders, Keepers' Fallacy. How does the concept of a 'Digital Footprint' make the consequences of this fallacy more serious?
A.Because a large digital footprint can slow down your computer.
B.Because improperly using copyrighted work becomes a permanent part of your digital footprint, which can be seen by others for a long time.
C.Because your digital footprint is protected by copyright, so no one can see it.
D.Because the 'Finders, Keepers' Fallacy only applies to things that are not part of a digital footprint.
Challenging
A news website creates an algorithm to show users articles it thinks they will like. Over time, users are only shown articles that confirm their existing opinions. How does this create a societal problem using a similar flawed logic as the 'Study Group Sorter'?
A.The news articles are likely violating copyright law.
B.The algorithm is not asking for user consent to track their reading history.
C.The website is creating a negative digital footprint for its users.
D.Like the sorter, it creates groups (of ideas) and prevents mixing, which can lead to unfairness and misunderstanding.
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