Activity from Technology

Pros and Cons of Cyberweapons

Learning Objectives

Students will analyze the concepts of cyber sovereignty, online privacy, data storage, and use of cyberweapons.

Length
30 Minutes
Grade Level
High School

Materials

The Growing Threat of Cyberattacks
Should the Internet Respect National Borders?
The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty
The Pros and Cons of Cyber Weapons

Instructional Plan

  1. Have students complete the handout, enumerating the pros and cons of developing and using cyberweapons from the listed points of view. 
  2. Ask students to consider pros and cons of cyberweapons and come up with a suggested principle or principles for the development and use of cyberweapons that might form the basis of an international agreement.
  3. Considering all the points of view on cyberweapons, what principles would you propose for an international agreement on cyberweapons? Write up to five, and for each, write a sentence or two explaining why you think the principle is valuable and how it addresses the concerns of one or more interested parties.
    1. Students may be directed to CFR Education's - The Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons to help inform their principles for an international agreement on cyberweapons. In this case, the Non-Proliferation Treaty could serve as an example for how the international community creates agreements around global issues. This reading highlights the goals of the NPT -which could inform a similar agreement on cyberweapons.