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“Catfishing” by Authors Deceives Young Readers: Is It Unethical?
Is it problematic for an author to create the impression among young readers that they are engaging with another young individual online?
Authors often use their own life, experience, education, and sparks of creativity that come to them from others. This is the way authors produce their original works, and we expect that they will only engage in ethical practices. One author whom I admire for his integrity is Harvey Fierstein, who, it is my understanding, placed a notice on his apartment door.
The notice told all visitors that anything that took place within the apartment could be viewed as material for his work. So, he told them in advance and did not try to deceive them in anyway. All of them were adults and had the capacity to make decisions based on behavior that they felt was acceptable or could be exploited for publication.
Publishers have a responsibility to ensure that the material they are providing to the reading public has been obtained ethically and with a high degree of integrity on the author's part. Perhaps this is not always the case. Allow me to elaborate on this a bit.
"Catfishing" has become clear worldwide, but it is primarily aimed at the romantically inclined. Yes, it is deception, usually to obtain something of value. If an author…
