10 Basic Guidelines of Social Media and Internet Etiquette

 

With the advent of technology nowadays, we continue to expand our use of the internet in almost all aspects of our lives, from sending emails to family and friends and doing social networking to conducting online surveys, scheduling job interviews and setting appointments. Many of us have become self-satisfied, formed unethical habits, and threw proper etiquette aside. This may lead to chaos and may create problems if we don’t learn a few basic rules. Internet etiquette, also known as “Netiquette,” plays a vital role in today's online world as we engage in a fully civilized society. We might not be with others personally, but we should always put in mind that there are sensitive persons on the other end of your communication whom we must take into consideration. 

1. Be Pleasant

     

Being nice and pleasant is always at the top. This is the very first rule of internet etiquette. We should always bear in mind that whatever inputs we typed in our keyboard or our phone reflects who we are. The output is always an extended reflection of our personality. It is therefore very important to show right manners in whatever online activities we are engaged in. We should NEVER say negative comments about other people, our organization and even to persons whom we are not familiar with. There is a proper platform for our concerns if ever we want to raise them against others or against a company. We should always use the "STOP, READ & REVIEW" method and be careful not to accidentally slip of our finger on the “SEND or POST”. If we think our article or post can cause chaos and disturbance, then we should not hesitate to delete it to avoid troubles. Finally, it is essential to familiarize cyber-bullying and how to get rid of it.. 

2. Respect and Protect People's Privacy and Personal Information

Privacy is all about respecting other person's desire to keep something private or undisclosed. Always instill in mind that  anything we publish online is open for all to see, therefore it is important to avoid adding anything personal. DO NOT publish your address, phone number, bank account details, social security number, and information on important ID cards such as driver’s license, UMID, PRC and the like. If we include these details in our articles then we are making things easy for hackers, identity thieves, burglars, and predators to do illegal transactions on our behalf. We should always be vigilant as we engage in online activities. 

    If possible, DO NOT forward information sent to you without asking permission from the original sender. We can  use the BCC  (blind carbon copy) option instead of CC (carbon copy) if we are sending something out to more than one person. Some of our friends may not want their names and or email addresses publicized to people they do not even know. We should always respect their rights to privacy.

3. Be Straightforward and Concise

   

Saving time and data usage are very important factors that our fellow netizens consider. Therefore, it is equally important to be brief and straight to the point whenever we publish articles or posts. There are others are only availing the free data.  In the same manner, an organized and concise content helps reader save time and data usage. As a result, we should organize topics accordingly in order for our readers to digest the information we want to convey in a more orderly manner thereby helping them save time and data usage as well.

 

4. Share with Utmost Responsibility and Sensitivity

In as much as possible, we should  AVOID sending nude pictures, drunk pictures, drug use pictures or unedited home video which are not presentable in public. Always remember to reflect on what could be the outcome if we post it online. These pictures and videos are endlessly easy to copy, save and spread. Even if we remove these online, someone may already have made a screenshot, copied, or saved them. One rule of thumb many people use is to never post anything you wouldn’t want your kids, family, friends, parents or boss to see in the future.

5. Always Obey Copyright Laws

Copyright is an intellectual property (IP) protection. We should Never copy someone else’s work and post it as our own. It is illegal under copyright law because it is considered stealing. If we really want to use other's work then it is always a good idea to ask permission before quoting anyone, but that isn’t always possible. In quoting someone, keep the quote short, cite the work's source, and put a link to the complete written work. 

6. Safeguard Children ( while using the internet)

With the rise of gadgets, children become accustomed to the advancement of technology. Although we can prevent them from using gadgets but it is the sad truth that many busy parents admit that gadgets help them complete tasks by giving their children something to watch.  If we allow our children to access the internet, we should make sure that we constantly monitor what sites they visit and who their “friends and playmates” are. We should track all their online activities very closely. By doing so, we are protecting them not only from predators, but also safeguarding their image so as not to suffer a stain on their fame when they grow up and go to school in the near future.

7. Beware of  Social Media and Internet Trolls

Trolls are known to intentionally disrupts the online world. They exist to provoke other netizens by saying offensive remarks thereby making people mad and upset. They are always looking for prey as their victims. If you become the subject of their bad intentions, just stay calm and don't respond. While hiding in their keyboards, they will be happy if they receive a response. However, when they don't get a reaction, they move on and look for another victim. But, if it continues and you feel as though you are being threatened, contact the authorities. Be vigilant and make sure you engage in the online community with utmost protection.

8. Proofread, Review the Source and Fact Check Before You Click “Send” or Reposting

 

Recklessness has no room in any online transaction. Be cautious and make sure to proofread, review the source (before reposting), and fact check (before sharing)) anything you type before clicking the “send” button. If you are having second thoughts, it is always a good idea to walk away for a while and come back again as you check the credibility and liability of a certain article. Always remember that there a lot of phishing sites with viruses via chain letters, email invitations that will surely mislead you fall in their trap. Don't be part of their evil plans to spread the circulation of these wrong doings. So be responsible.

9. Respond to Emails and Questions Promptly

 Our online profile is an online representation of our real personality. Thus, it is nice to respond emails promptly and honestly. We can ignore or delete emails in spams but take time to extend a reply on serious emails or answer questions. If due to time constraint, we cannot reply at the moment, we can find some available time to write back and explain the reason for late response rather than ignoring. If a certain question is difficult enough to answer, just respond honestly so the sender would not wait for nothing. 

10. Don’t Raise Voice or Shout

By all means, we should avoid using all caps in any digital communication, email or post. Although writing in caps lock might be easier to read, some may think of it as the opposite. To some, it is considered rude as if the author is shouting.

Be A Responsible Netizen!

 

Be vigilant against opportunists, be nice with other netizens, be respectful and most of all be a responsible netizen as you showcase you real personality both in online community and in the actual world you live in. 

   

    Thank you for reading my blog on The 10 Basic Guidelines of Social Media and Internet Etiquette. I hope you can savor the sweet taste of a happy and fulfilling life. Start your journey today!

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