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Examples Of Good Netiquette

Good Netiquette

  • Include context – When commenting on a message or conversation thread it is good netiquette to include a relevant quote from the original message to give context to your comment.
  • Check, then click – Before you post a comment, double check that you are saying exactly what you want to say. One small error can completely change the meaning of your message, so read and read again before sending.
  • We are only human – Remember that an actual person with real feelings, beliefs, imperfections and emotions is behind every message, email or comment. It’s sometimes easy to get carried away and write something that you would not dream of saying to someone’s face and can be mistaken for displaying bad netiquette or cyberbullying behavior.
  • Do you get it? – Jokes, dark humor and sarcasm are often difficult to convey over the internet. So to avoid potential misunderstandings, always indicate the humorous nature of your comment. You could do this by using emoticons, putting “lol” (laugh out loud) at the end of the message or by starting with a phrase like, “On a lighter note…”
  • Newbies – We were all once new to social media, gaming online, emails, messaging and forums – so always try and help someone new who is making mistakes. (If you are new, check out our ‘What is netiquette?‘ section for more information).
  • Don’t spam! – It is normal to want to be noticed in the crowd of people on social media – but spamming (another word for sending the same or similar messages lots of times) can be annoying and may have the opposite effect!
  • Be yourself – If you want to get the most out of communicating online, be yourself. Making up false profiles and alter egos will only discourage people from talking openly with you and taking you seriously. Remember that most trolls and cyberbullies use false profiles, so be careful not to be mistaken for one.
  • Express yourself – Don’t be afraid to express yourself openly and honestly. Netiquette is not about restricting expression but about making it easier for people to understand.
  • Allow others to express themselves too – Remember that everybody has an opinion, so allow them to express it. You may have to agree to disagree on many issues, but just make your point and move on. Don’t let a simple difference of opinion escalate into an argument.
  • Don’t SHOUT – Avoid writing whole words or sentences in capital letters. This is the equivalent of someone SCREAMING IN YOUR EAR!
  • Respect people’s privacy  Don’t pass on another person’s private information or photos unless you have their permission. Not only is this bad netiquette but you may also be accused of cyberbullying, doxing or online harassment.
  • Avoid conflict – Trading insults and abuse is bad netiquette. It is pointless and negative and could get you banned from the platform or community. Avoid being drawn into fights and never post abusive content on social media – this will result in your accounts being suspended.