In the ever growing information age, the amount of data an individual can collect from various sources is staggering. While this may be an asset that can be constructively used to further understanding and gain knowledge, it may also create ethical problems. Why should a student not just use the information they can gather on the Internet for their own assignments and papers when it can be so easy?

The problem is a lack of creativity that can hinder intellectual growth and create slaves to information instead of using it as a tool. Plagiarism is an endemic that has caused great concern in the academic community that has left much of academia scratching their heads. To counteract the prevalence of plagiarism many professors and schools have implemented a zero-tolerance policy which can result in a failure of the course or even expulsion. This is just one step educators must take to prevent plagiarism and spur creative work from their pupils.

Academia needs to take steps to ensure that their students feel the need and want to create new and intriguing content. The thrill and surge of creativity that a person gains when creating an original piece of work is fulfilling in a way few other experiences can replicate. Plagiarism can stunt an individual’s creativity and will to work. This problem can lead to additional issues that include ineffective work habits and an unwillingness to think outside the box. Showing students the vivid worlds Hemingway and Vonnegut creating through their work can be used as a strong tool to demonstrate benefits of individual creation.

Until an individual understands the need for original work in the world they will continue to believe they do not have a responsibility to further the amount of original data in the world. Educators must make it part of their curriculum to help students understand the positive effects of submitting original work and the drawbacks of plagiarism.