Abstract

This study examines the ethical dimensions surrounding the disclosure of paternity test results in the virtual sphere, with a focus on the potential harm it can cause to children and families. This qualitative research explores various affective comments, upon which, a Thematic Content Analysis unveils and examines a plethora of emotions and sentiments arising from John Doe's case. The analysis exposes significant ethics of communication concerns to do with harm. The study emphasises the importance of prioritising the safeguarding of the well-being and privacy of the child in public discussions and disclosures, demanding a cautious and sensitive approach when handling sensitive information such as paternity test results. This is because innocent children, who are usually at the centre of such online discourse, need to be protected from harm, which may emanate from unpredictable affective discourse. This thesis argues that paternity test results should not be disclosed on social media platforms like Facebook. Disclosing paternity test results in the virtual sphere instigates unpredictable and uncontrollable affective discourse fraught with harm to certain individuals. This is unmistakable in the Malawian socio-cultural context where users are not privileged with a basic ethics education essential for appropriate public communication on sensitive matters. The affective virtual discourse in such a context appears to have the colossal potential to result in lasting emotional and psychological effects on the concerned parties, particularly innocent children. In defense of safeguarding the sanctity of individuals’ well-being, particularly that of the child, it is advised that paternity test results remain undisclosed in the virtual sphere.

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School	: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Issued Date	: 2024

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