Awareness and Knowledge of Cyber Ethical Behaviour by Students in Higher Education Institutions in South Africa

Abstract

Students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) rely on cyber technologies almost daily to perform a wide variety of tasks related to their studies. However, there are ethical guidelines that govern the use of these technologies that also guard against ethical violations. The study examined the level of awareness and knowledge on the cyber ethical behaviour of students in HEIs in South Africa. The factors influencing unethical cyber behaviour and cyber security measures to prevent cyber unethical behaviour among students in HEIs in South Africa were also investigated in this study, using content analysis method. The study was also guided by ethical theories, namely consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, and Kohlberg's theory of moral development. Although most of the students in HEIs are aware of unethical cyber behaviours such as cyber bullying, fraud, hacking, pornography, etc., it appears as if there is no collaborative approach for best practices in computer security and training on cyber ethical behaviour for the students within these institutions.