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Subjects · Leaving Cert Computer Science

Leaving Cert Computer Science: Ethics & social impact

How often Ethics & social impact comes up on the Computer Science papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 5 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Ethics & social impact, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Ethics & social impact.

(a)What is algorithmic bias?
  1. A bug that makes a program crash on some inputs
  2. Unfair results caused by biased data or design
  3. A preference for faster algorithms over slower ones
(b)A CV-screening AI trained on past hires, mostly men, rejects more women. The main cause?
  1. An infinite loop in the code
  2. Too little RAM on the server
  3. Bias in the training data
(c)What is the digital divide?
  1. The gap between people with and without access to technology
  2. The difference between analogue and digital signals
  3. The split between hardware and software
Show the answers

(a) Unfair results caused by biased data or design

(b) Bias in the training data

(c) The gap between people with and without access to technology

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Ethics & social impact.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A10, A11
2024A7, B13
2023B13
2022A8
2021A6, B15

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Ethics & social impact questions

Ethics & social impact, 2 marks

Copying someone's program and selling it without permission breaks which kind of law?

  1. GDPR
  2. Freedom of information
  3. Copyright
Show the answer

Copyright

Copyright protects creative work, including code. GDPR is about personal data, and freedom of information is about access to public bodies' records.

Ethics & social impact, 2 marks

What is open-source software?

  1. Software that runs without an operating system
  2. Software whose code anyone can view, change and share
  3. Software that is always free of bugs
Show the answer

Software whose code anyone can view, change and share

Linux and Python are open source; a licence sets the rules for reuse. Open source is not automatically bug-free, but many people can check it.

Ethics & social impact, 2 marks

Which is a health concern linked to heavy use of screens?

  1. Poor sleep and eye strain
  2. Better posture and sleep
  3. Stronger eyesight over time
Show the answer

Poor sleep and eye strain

Late-night screen use can disrupt sleep, and long sessions can cause eye strain and neck or back pain. Regular breaks help.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 5 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A6
2024A9
2023B15
2022A8
2021A4, B14

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Ethics & social impact questions

Ethics & social impact, 2 marks

The gap between people who have access to computers and the internet and those who don't is called…

  1. Net neutrality
  2. Data compression
  3. The digital divide
Show the answer

The digital divide

e.g. rural homes with poor broadband, or older people without devices, can miss out on online banking, e-government services and remote learning.

Ethics & social impact, 2 marks

One negative effect of automation on society?

  1. Products need more workers
  2. Some jobs are lost
  3. Tasks are done more slowly
Show the answer

Some jobs are lost

Robots and software can replace routine jobs, e.g. self-service checkouts. New jobs are also created, but workers may need retraining.

Ethics & social impact, 2 marks

One positive effect of automation?

  1. Dangerous tasks can be done by machines
  2. Everyone must work longer hours each week
  3. Factories make more mistakes than before
Show the answer

Dangerous tasks can be done by machines

Machines can handle dangerous, dirty or boring work, e.g. bomb disposal robots or welding on car lines, often faster and more accurately.

Other Computer Science topics

All of Leaving Cert Computer Science