Ethics important in tech use

CEBU, Philippines - New media allows for a great potential for good, but technology is double-edged.

This was the message of Nick Wilwayco, online services manager of the Public Affairs Group of Smart Communications, during yesterday’s Social Good Summit at the Marcelo Fernan Press Center.

Speaking on the importance of ethics in the use of social media, Wilwayco said the issue of ethics is an area that needs utmost attention considering that more and more people are now connected, as technology becomes more affordable.

He says technology is double-edged, that is, can be used for good or can create harm and cruelty like cyber bullying and even crime.

“Online, it’s easy to judge, it’s easy to react. Let’s pull back and exercise the same kind of ethical considerations before we share, comment or like. We may know the other person’s screen name but we can never really know their full story. After this talk, you will think the effects of the digital world are depressing, let’s choose to look at the bright side,” she said.

“Digital can be good. Technology in itself isn’t bad. It’s how people use it. For online ethics is not about the black and white battle of good versus evil. It’s about values and differences in values should be addressed through advocacy, education and lively debate,” she added.

Before dealing with the ethical aspect, however, lawyer Aristotle Batuhan, founder of Abante Barangay Movement, also it is important to first educate users on the technology available and how this technology can help propel change.

Jaysee Pingkian of the Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc., the organizer of the summit here in Cebu, echoed Batuhan’s sentiment, saying the Internet has enabled people of common interests to put their acts together in the name of development.

“It’s never too late to be an architect of change. The best time is always now. Do what you love. Do what is right and do it with all your heart,” Pingkian said.

The Social Good Summit, a project that aims to gather leaders, thinkers and influences to answer the challenge, “How can technology and new media create solutions for the biggest problems facing my community?” is a brainchild of the United Nations Foundation and Mashable, one of the largest and influential blogs in the world.

Yesterday’s event was attended by members of the local press and student leaders from Cebu schools, including the Cebu Technological University (CTU), Southwestern (SWU) and Mandaue City College (MCC).

The event was supported by Julie’s Bakeshop, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., GeiserMaclang Communications, PRWorks, Andy Hotel, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Alaxan, Abante Barangay Movement, and Smart Telecommunications.  (FREEMAN)