The term "netiquette," a combination of the words "net" and "etiquette," refers to the socially acceptable standards of online behavior. Self-presentation guidelines, behavioral expectations, and acceptable modes of expression are all included in the definition of netiquette. You may avoid offending friends, coworkers, and other members of your social network by using proper netiquette.
Netiquette Rules & Guidelines
You should always keep in mind that you are connecting with people online and not only with computers or cellphones. Etiquette guidelines are required online, just as they are in the real world. So, it's crucial to practice good netiquette to avoid negative outcomes.
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1. Remember the human.
Follow the Golden Rule when talking online, whether it be by email, instant messaging, discussion posts, text messages, or some other channel. Keep in mind that real people who read your writing deserve courteous dialogue. Before you hit "send" or "submit," consider whether you would be satisfied with the content if it had been written by someone else.
2. Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life.
While it can be argued that standards of behavior may be different in the virtual world, they certainly should not be lower. You should do your best to act within the laws and ethical manners of society whenever you inhabit "cyberspace." Would you behave rudely to someone face-to-face? On most occasions, no. Neither should you behave this way in the virtual world.
3. Know where you are in cyberspace.
"Netiquette varies from domain to domain." (Shea, 1994) Depending on where you are in the virtual world, the same written communication can be acceptable in one area, where it might be considered inappropriate in another. What you text to a friend may not be appropriate in an email to a classmate or colleague. Can you think of another example?
4. Respect other people's time and bandwidth.
Electronic communication takes time: time to read and time in which to respond. Most people today lead busy lives, just like you do, and don't have time to read or respond to frivolous emails or discussion posts. As a virtual world communicator, it is your responsibility to make sure that the time spent reading your words isn't wasted. Make your written communication meaningful and to the point, without extraneous text or superfluous graphics or attachments that may take forever to download.
5. Make yourself look good online.
One of the best things about the virtual world is the lack of judgment associated with your physical appearance, sound of your voice, or the clothes you wear (unless you post a video of yourself singing Karaoke in a clown outfit.) You will, however, be judged by the quality of your writing, so keep the following tips in mind:
> Always check for spelling and grammar errors
> Know what you're talking about and state it clearly
> Be pleasant and polite
6. Share expert knowledge.
The ease with which information can be shared or accessed is one of the many advantages the Internet provides its users. In fact, this "information sharing" capability is one of the reasons it was created. Share what you know in the tradition of the "founding fathers" of the Internet! When someone asks a question and you get thoughtful responses, let other people know about it. Are you an authority on anything? Post sources and references related to your topic. Have you recently learned more about a topic that may be of interest to others? Also mention that.
7. Help keep flame wars under control.
What is meant by "flaming" and "flame wars?" "Flaming is what people do when they express a strongly held opinion without holding back any emotion." (Shea, 1994). As an example, think of the kinds of passionate comments you might read on a sports blog. While "flaming" is not necessarily forbidden in virtual communication, "flame wars," when two or three people exchange angry posts between one another, must be controlled or the camaraderie of the group could be compromised. Don't feed the flames; extinguish them by guiding the discussion back to a more productive direction.
8. Respect other people's privacy.
Depending on what you are reading online, whether it be an email, Facebook page, or online discussion board, you might be exposed to some sensitive information that should be treated carefully. Perhaps someone is discussing a workplace issue or providing medical updates about a loved one. Do you think embarrassment would result if this knowledge "came into the wrong hands"? Do you feel hurt? losing your job? You should respect other people's privacy just as you would expect them to respect yours. When considering whether to talk about or not to talk about virtual communication, be careful to err on the side of caution.
9. Don't abuse your power.
There are individuals in cyberspace who have more "power" than others, just like there are in real-world settings. They are better knowledgeable about technology or have years of experience in a certain field. You might be the one with all of this power and knowledge! Just keep in mind that simply because you are more knowledgeable or powerful than others does not give you the right to exploit others. Consider Rule 1: Remember the human.
10. Be forgiving of other people's mistakes.
Different people have different levels of experience operating in the virtual world. Additionally, not everyone is familiar with netiquette guidelines. You will come across foolish questions, extended responses, and misspelled language at some time; when this occurs, treat the offender with kindness and forgiveness as you would want to be treated yourself. You could wish to overlook it if the "offense" was mild. If you feel the need to correct an error, do so privately by email rather than in a public.