Harvard Study Finds Teens Online Lack Ethics

Harvard research director Carrie James took the stage at Mashable’s Social Good Summit earlier today to encourage us all to mentor young people on using social media for social good.

The online behaviors of youth and how to improve and correct them are part of how James feels new media can be used to address the world’s challenges. To further this mission, James has activity been working with Harvard colleagues on the GoodPlay Project, a study on the ethical sensibilities of digital youth. The study explores youth identity, privacy, ownership, authority, credibility and participation.

In their research, the team has found that most young people are devoid of ethical thinking or consideration for others when using the web. It’s a sobering reality that James hopes to change. James believes this is an untapped opportunity and suggests a number of actionable steps that we can take to change the way young people approach and use social technologies.

You can watch the presentation and learn more about this research in the video embedded below. Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments.

[via mashable]

Posted in: Social Good