Ethics in the Age of Digital Trading: Rethinking Responsibility in Modern Investing

Kennedy Solomon; Melissa Fitzpatrick

Ethics in the Age of Digital Trading: Rethinking Responsibility in Modern Investing

Management

Research output: Thesis › Honors Thesis

Abstract

The rise of digital trading platforms such as Robinhood has transformed retail investing into an accessible activity for the general public. While these platforms claim to democratize investing through commission-free trading and intuitive interfaces, their gamified designs and aggressive marketing raise significant ethical concerns. This paper explores how such apps target inexperienced users, encouraging potentially reckless financial behavior under the guise of empowerment.

Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Loyola Marymount University
Supervisors/Advisors	Fitzpatrick, Melissa, Advisor
State	Published - May 13 2025

Access to Document

http://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/honors-thesis/577

Cite this

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title = "Ethics in the Age of Digital Trading: Rethinking Responsibility in Modern Investing",

abstract = "The rise of digital trading platforms such as Robinhood has transformed retail investing into an accessible activity for the general public. While these platforms claim to democratize investing through commission-free trading and intuitive interfaces, their gamified designs and aggressive marketing raise significant ethical concerns. This paper explores how such apps target inexperienced users, encouraging potentially reckless financial behavior under the guise of empowerment.",

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AB - The rise of digital trading platforms such as Robinhood has transformed retail investing into an accessible activity for the general public. While these platforms claim to democratize investing through commission-free trading and intuitive interfaces, their gamified designs and aggressive marketing raise significant ethical concerns. This paper explores how such apps target inexperienced users, encouraging potentially reckless financial behavior under the guise of empowerment.

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