Modern information ethics and problems of virtual communication

The article deals with the issues related to the formation of the science of information ethics and its influence on the development of modern society. The author identifies the main problems, which arise in the information environment in the process of users’ communication. Special attention is paid to the problem of insufficiently developed regulation of the network users’ behavior. The author analyzes factors generating this problem: 1) socio-psychological factors, 2) value - oriented, 3) technical. The author reveals the meaning of the concept of cyberethics, information environment and information culture. The author considers two main approaches to the study of the problems of information culture, namely - culturological and informational approaches. The article focuses on the main moral and ethical violations committed by Internet users. The author suggests a number of ethical requirements for the behavior of Internet users.