When the Tech Guy is 13 - Ethics Analysis

 When the Tech Guy is 13

What is the issue?

·         Young people (teenagers and younger) are developing web sites and doing other IT-type work for businesses and business men/women. This article tells of a certain businessman who wanted a web site. Two young boys (about 13) took on the job. He said he loved the work they did. The issues that could come of this goes beyond the capability of young people to do the work. The question is, should they do the work? In theory, young programmers (not even out of middle or high school) are performing work that professional IT people (who have gone to vocational school or college) are trained to do. Are these “children” stealing jobs from these educated professionals? Obviously the young boys were paid in this case, but perhaps they were paid less than what a professional would have charged. Is it ethical to pay children/teens lower wages and essentially “cheat” professionals out of a job just because the child/teen can do similar work at a lower wage?  Further, if children do this type of work, at what point will that cross child labor laws? Not to mention, what about the taxes that could/should be paid on that money but isn’t because children don’t pay taxes?

·         Why is this new or more relevant because of technology advances?

• With new technology it is getting easier and easier to create web pages and do other IT-type design/work. In the past only professionals could do such things because it all had to be done by code. While code is still a necessary part of programming (languages like HTML, SQL, C++, etc. are critical to the development of software and hardware systems), current software and hardware advances have made it possible for virtually anyone to create web pages. In the future, perhaps it will be easier to create computer programs. If that is the case and children can do the work, the issue must be faced head on: should children do that work?

·         What is one side of the issue and who supports that side?

• One side of the issue is the professionals who lose out on work because young people (non-professionals) can do the same work for cheaper. Additionally, the labor unions and advocates of child labor laws may be upset that children are working in an adult/professional capacity. Finally, perhaps some would argue that kids shouldn’t have jobs like these because they pay enough money that should be taxed, but children don’t pay taxes, especially for “side jobs” like this one.

·         What is the other side of the issue and who supports that side?

• The other side is that children want to do the work and perhaps getting paid is just a bonus. It seems that kids younger and younger these days take interest in technology and they are good at it. Why should we deprive these kids of opportunities that come to them at a young age? Is it wrong to allow children to do this kind of work just because they are children or even because they threaten professionals’ jobs?

·         Is there a clearly defined body regulating this issue?

• There is neither a clearly defined body regulating this issue or a clearly defined position to be enforced at this time. Sure we have child labor laws, etc., but who is to stop things like this happening again and again? What will prohibit these boys from having their own “small business” in house while they don’t even pay taxes? Perhaps this will become a greater issue and bring about enforced positions or regulating bodies in the future.

·         What is your position on this issue?

• I think children should learn work at an early age and that taking on jobs such as this can be beneficial to their learning and development. However, I do not think that children should do the work that professionals do and get paid for it. I feel for the professionals who might lose out on work to kids who just happen to know a lot about computers. Still perhaps some professionals don’t want the menial kind of work (web sites, etc.) that these kids can do. Maybe they are looking for something more complex. Either way, I still don’t think the kids need to be thrown into the business world too soon. They should be outside playing ball or reading books. I love technology, but I don’t think children should lose their childhood because of it. In regards to the tax issue and child labor laws, I do not even know where to draw the line or how to judge this. But if I had to take a side I would say that if children are indeed doing such profitable work they should be taxed. And, if their “work” interferes with their schooling or play time, the “work” should discontinue. Kids need to be kids.