CHAPTER 5

Vignette (Sexting)

Questions to Consider

1. Does sexting represent a form of expression that is protected by the First Amendment?

            In these cases, there’s no legal recourse for anyone to take to stop that person. In the meantime, underage participants those who have the least life experience to help them make good decisions are being held accountable. Until we learn how to deal with this new phenomenon appropriately in homes, in schools, and in the courts, many teens and young adults will likely continue to get hurt.

2. What can be done to protect people from the dangers of sexting while still safeguarding our First Amendment rights?

            The right to freedom of expression is one of the most important rights for free people everywhere. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Cases

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EEF)

Discussion Question

1. Visit the EEF Web Site at www.eff.org and develop a list of its current “’hot” issues. Research one EEF issue that interest you, and write a brief paper summarizing EEF’s position. Discuss whether you support this position and why.

2. What reasons might a firm give for joining and supporting EEF?

        EEF’s mission includes educating the press, policy makers and the general public about civil liberties. It provides an extensive collection of information on such issues as censorship, free expression, digital surveillance, encryption and privacy. Most of EEF’s annual operating budget comes from individual donations from concerned citizens. EEF also has relationship with many IT-related organizations that provide it with hardware, software, and IT services.

3. The vice president of public affairs for you midsized telecommunications Equipment Company has suggested that the firm donate $10,000 in equipment and services to EEF and become a corporate sponsor. The CFO has asked if you, the CIO support this action. What would you say?

     If I am the CIO I will support the sponsors, hope to do a better job of minimizing the negative impacts of IT on society, help IT users become more responsible in fulfilling their role and responsibilities, and eventually build a more knowledgeable marketplace for their products.