Ethical issues in relational maintenance via computer‐mediated communication

Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society 7 (1):9-24 (2009)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore some of the influences that computer‐mediated communication has and could have on the maintenance of interpersonal relationships. In doing this, ethical dilemmas and implications that arise from the technical affordances offered to CMC participants are discussed. Relational maintenance is integral to people's everyday lives. Yet, the ethical issues involve in using CMC to support this have not been explicitly explored.Design/methodology/approachThe concept of relational maintenance will be explored independently and as it relates to CMC and ethics. This paper will examine current literature and briefly discuss a pilot study relevant to these areas. The pilot study consisted of a survey distributed to undergraduate students in non‐platonic long distance and short distance relationships.FindingsThe exploration of prior literature and the findings of a pilot study support the notion that, with the increase of CMC use to maintain relationships follows the potential increase of unethical behavior in this medium. A number of ethical questions have risen that can be used to inform and direct future research.Originality/valueThis paper is original as it explores the concept of ethics from a relational maintenance perspective through electronic communication. It adds value by integrating these three areas and enhancing the understanding of this integration, while providing information of both theoretical and practical relevance.

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 90,616

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Studying the ethical implications of e-trust in the lab.Cristina Bicchieri & Azi Lev-On - 2011 - Ethics and Information Technology 13 (1):5-15.
Cultures in collision: Philosophical lessons from computer-mediated communication.Charles Ess - 2002 - In James Moor & Terrell Ward Bynum (eds.), Metaphilosophy. Blackwell. pp. 229-253.
Prolegomena to Digital Communication Ethics.Robert Arnãutu - 2006 - Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies 5 (13):23-31.
Social and ethical dimensions of computer‐mediated education.Philip Brey - 2006 - Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society 4 (2):91-101.

Analytics

Added to PP
2014-02-19

Downloads
6 (#1,269,502)

6 months
2 (#668,348)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Citations of this work

No citations found.

Add more citations

References found in this work

Love Online.[author unknown] - 2012

Add more references