EVALUATING ETHICAL ISSUES IN USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to evaluate the ethical issues in using information and communication technology as an instructional tool in schools in Edo State. The instrument employed for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire with a reliability test of 0.856 which shows the genuineness of the instrument. The self-structured questionnaire was developed and administered to 150 undergraduate students across the faculties in University of Benin, Edo State after validation of the instrument by two lecturers. The data from their responses were analyzed with the use of simple percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The study's findings illuminated critical issues related to students' experiences with ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in education. The research indicated that ICT usage in schools exposed students to potential risks, including unintentional and intentional exposure to pornography, which was associated with increased sexual activities. Plagiarism was prevalent among students, facilitated by various ICT tools, and there was a notable lack of awareness regarding copyright and intellectual property rights. Additionally, students inadvertently encountered the misuse of artificial intelligence, potentially leading to piracy and data security breaches. A majority of students reported exposure to cyberbullying through social media and online communication platforms, highlighting the need for educational institutions to implement protective measures and promote digital literacy to ensure students' safe and responsible engagement with ICT in their academic pursuits.