Consumer education and the OECD electronic commerce consumer protection guidelines

Abstract

This paper explores the implications of e-commerce transactions and the lack of consumer protection regulation on consumer educators and curricula. The discussion is divided into five sections: conceptualizing e-commerce; the juggernaut of e-commerce; consumer education defined, especially consumer protection in the electronic market-place; the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 1998 Ottawa conference on electronic commerce; and the implications of this fluid market and policy context on consumer educators. Empowerment of the consumer, the ultimate objective of consumer education, is a total challenge in the global electronic market-place, but a challenge that must be embraced by staying informed, becoming a consumer advocate, as well as educator, and remaining ever vigilant as curricula are developed for the domestic consumer transacting in an electronic global market.