Social media sites/apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are connecting people like no other time in history. Physical distance no longer limits who your friends are -- using a convenient mobile device, you can communicate and share the details of your life with people around the world. You can connect with strangers who share interests or hobbies, form online relationships, and even get your news through an app that learns your preferences. The benefits of social media come at a cost, however, introducing a number of ethical concerns. In order to provide the most relevant information and connections, social media sites track your activities and collect personal information about you. What they do with that information and whom they share it with are often not clear. Sites are increasingly using that personal information to entice or, some would say, manipulate you into spending more time online. It has been estimated that Americans spend an average of 6 hours a day on their smartphones, with many reporting anxiety if disconnected. Customized news feeds have the potential to serve as echo chambers, only exposing you to news stories and commentaries that support existing views.

You are to write a 10-page (double-spaced) midterm paper focusing on ethical issues related to the pervasive use of social media in our society. What are the responsibilites of the companies and developers that create the applications and collect data on its users? What limits, if any, should be placed on the use of collected data? Is the company obligated to look out for the welfare of users (e.g., mental and physical health) or are do they only answer to advertisers and stockholders? Are infringements on people's privacy justified, and if so, under what conditions? As a computer professional, what are your ethical responsibilities?

The specific aspects of social media that you choose to focus on are up to you. Your paper should clearly identify the issue(s) and take a clear position as to where the ethical/moral limits should be drawn. In your analysis, you should support your arguments with specific real-world cases and should reference the ethical dimensions described in the Laudon paper: rule-based vs. consequence-based and individual vs. collective. Your paper should reference at least five reputable sources.

Two weeks before the due date, you will submit an outline of the paper. This outline should clearly state the position being taken by the paper, and identify at least three supporting arguments for that position. Real world cases should be cited that will be referenced in those arguments.

The grading rubric for final paper is as follows:

Readability (grammar, spelling, clarity, sufficient length)	0-20 points
Takes a position and provides justification     Includes sufficient background and factual information     Includes information and analysis appropriate for a computer scientist	0-20 points 0-10 points 0-10 points
Argument is cohesive and persuasive     Specifically cites the ethical dimensions     Cites credible references appropriately	0-20 points 0-10 points 0-10 points