The problem to be investigated is the ethical use of information technology in a modern society. “Information technology basically refers to the employment of computer hardware and software applications to manage data” (K Alliance). Historically, information technology had limited applications and its impact on society was also limited. Information technology has come a long way since Jean Hoerni first developed the planar transistor whereby microscopic circuit boards could be laid out on the silicon surface, thus allowing the compacting of these circuits onto integrated circuits (“Darby consulting”). Today, however, information technology is a part of nearly every business and personal activity (Brooks, 2010). Because information technology is so widely used, the opportunity for individuals to engage in information technology in an unethical manner is abundant. This is why it is essential for education systems and businesses to address the ethical concerns of information technology usage. It is imperative that education systems and businesses develop a practical code of ethics to prevent ethical dilemmas and infractions, or at least try to mitigate them.
Information technology has caused widespread society ethical changes. To previous generations, information technology was reserved for very specific industries. There was a selective segregation who worked with information technology and what pieces of information were impacted by information technology (Brooks, 2010). With the emergence of Microsoft in the 1990s, information technology emerged as a rapidly evolving industry. The world transitioned from a manual world to a digitally controlled world within a matter of years. Today, nearly everyone interacts with some form of information technology on a daily basis and this interaction is practically non-stop from morning until night (Nuyen, 2004). As a result of