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A computing system can affect users, workers, owners, bystanders and wider communities differently. Automation may improve consistency while changing jobs; data analysis may improve services while creating privacy concerns. Begin an evaluation with the actual system and stakeholders. A generic sentence that computers are good and bad is less useful than an explanation of a specific effect and why it matters to a particular group.
Video by Craig'n'Dave. The video’s own board label is retained; follow the specification reference and scope notes on this lesson for assessed content.
Viewing focus: Evaluate privacy, environmental and social effects
After watching, attempt these questions before opening the answers. You can also use the written lesson below.
After watching 1: Is a legal action necessarily ethically uncontroversial?
No. Ethical reasoning can consider harms beyond legal compliance.
After watching 2: Which lifecycle stage can create e-waste?
Disposal. Retired devices require appropriate handling.
What you'll be able to do
A computing system can affect users, workers, owners, bystanders and wider communities differently. Automation may improve consistency while changing jobs; data analysis may improve services while creating privacy concerns. Begin an evaluation with the actual system and stakeholders. A generic sentence that computers are good and bad is less useful than an explanation of a specific effect and why it matters to a particular group.
Personal information can reveal identity, behaviour or sensitive characteristics. Collection should be assessed for purpose, access, security and retention. Intellectual-property rights affect copying and reuse; unauthorised access and interference can be unlawful. Legal and ethical judgments are related but not identical. This lesson teaches specification concepts rather than a current legal opinion; use the board’s stated legislative content and an authoritative current source if a real-world legal decision is needed.
Manufacturing, energy use and disposal contribute to environmental impact. Extending device life, repairing and responsibly recycling can help, while replacement may sometimes improve efficiency. Open-source licensing permits specified access and reuse under its terms; it does not automatically mean no copyright or no cost. Proprietary software has a different permission model. Compare support, modification, compatibility, cost and licence obligations in the stated context.
Attempt these problems on paper before opening the worked reasoning. Explain your steps as well as giving a final answer.
Common mistakes to avoid
Key takeaways
Question 1: Why is open-source software not copyright-free?
Read and follow the licence terms.
Check the assessed scope and practical or mathematical requirements.
An external explanation or interactive activity to use alongside the lesson. It may include extension material.
Close the notes and answer from memory. Revisit any explanation you cannot yet reconstruct.
Test yourself
Answer a few questions, then review anything you missed.
Start with the quiz above to check the key ideas. You can also choose another topic from the practice library.