Digital Moral Framework

The labels of integrity, heart and character are used to discuss the moral domains. Integrity is defined as having moral expectation of oneself while using ICTs, based on the values of integrity, honesty, trustworthiness, authenticity and accountability. Having moral integrity is considered by some moral psychologists as having high moral expectations of oneself and living up to one’s personal moral values.

Heart is a label that is sometimes used to represent the emotional domain. In the DMF, heart is being empathetic towards others and being conscientiousness while using ICTs.

Character is a label that is sometimes associated with self-regulation of impulses and moral behaviour. In a study of adolescent morality, character was defined as the psychological and social skills required for moral behaviour. In the DMF, character while using ICTs is managing ourselves based on the values of self-control and responsibility, while behaving morally towards others is based on the values of altruism, justice and respect. This is significant as some research indicates that good self-management (responsibility, self-control and accountability) plays an important role in moral reasoning and moral behaviour and studies have consistently shown that moral self-regulation shapes moral behaviour. On the other hand, social responsibility towards others is underpinned by altruism, justice and respect.