Cyberspace harbours millions of people at home, at school, and at work. We all have the right to use the cyberspace. At the same time, we all have rules to follow so that cyberspace is a safe environment and the right of everyone is protected. This course aims to provide students with a basic knowledge of their privileges and freedom in cyberspace and the behavioural expectations that come with them, from ethical and social perspectives and through the laws of Hong Kong.

This course deals with and provides understanding of various social and legal issues involving the use of technology. Whilst technology is advancing every day, a number of social issues arise. The advancement of technology has made communication easier but does it mean it is more reliable? Technology also enhances the sharing of information but does it mean at the expense of our privacy and other moral values? Shopping online is far more convenient and easier than shopping “physically” but does it mean we are sufficiently protected? Now that our daily activities often involve the use of technology, are there any pitfalls we should look out for? These issues are controversial and the law may not always be the best solution in addressing these issues.

This course aims to provide students with: (1) an insight of the role of technology in our daily lives and the issues associated with the use of it; (2) an awareness of current issues involving the use of technology; (3) the opportunity to examine and raise the participants’ critical awareness of what happens in practice in the technology world and the solutions to the issues raised; and (4) some training in logical analysis, oral and written argument and presentation throughout.