What is Netiquette?
Guidelines that help govern our behavior on the internet is generally referred to as netiquette. With the trend toward online interactions being just as important as face-to-face ones, we need to have some rules to follow. Roblyer (2013) tells us that netiquette is generally enforced by other users who are quick to let us know we’ve broken some rules. The image below is a great rule to follow:
Email Netiquette
In relation to emails, there are many different sources of rules to abide by. In an online article, Roblyer discusses the importance of good behavior and proper conduct when working with electronic medium. He lists out some tips on proper etiquette (most of the email tips listed here are from Shea’s (2004) online book, Netiquette).
-Identify yourself – use a signature at the end with your information
- Include a subject line
- Respect the privacy of others – don’t use a personal email without permission of the author
- Don’t use sarcasm – it can be easily misunderstood
- Respond promptly to messages
- Be concise
- Use appropriate language
- Ensure that words are spelled correctly and check punctuation
- Be professional
The following short video is from a computer teacher who is teaching her class about email and internet responsibility…
Social Networking Netiquette
Social networking has become a huge part of our lives in today’s world. There are different rules to follow for different social media sites because each site is set up for different purposes and functions differently. The following are some tips that will help you stay safe and be more productive while on a few of today’s most popular sites.
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Don’t ask a stranger to join your network unless you explain your reason why to them
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Send invites only once, don’t pester your friends
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Don’t post too much personal information on the web
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Don’t post pictures of your friends that are negative in any way. These could lead to damaging the person’s career or getting into legal trouble
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Don’t accept everyone that wants to be your friend. You don’t have to decline the request, you may simply leave it there and then later you may decide to accept them
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Create specific pages to advertise or promote businesses – don’t use your personal page
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Be careful in linking Facebook and Twitter so you don’t overload your friends with unwanted messages
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Kidzworld.com says students should never post class schedules or practice times or the name of their school. This gives creepy people the opportunity to show up.
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Be honorable in your intentions. Don’t target people just to poach their connections
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Stick with your career field
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Maintain a complete and accurate profile with details on job and current work
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Don’t use it for lengthy conversations
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Don’t over use it as an advertising tool for your product
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Don’t feel that you must follow everyone who follows you
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Learn the lingo. You will be less likely to embarrass yourself if you know how to use the slang and tags.
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Take the time to be sure that your message is abbreviated properly and spelled correctly
Most of these guidelines were pulled from Learn the Net and do not include all the guidelines that should be followed while on the internet. Common sense goes a long way when using social media. If you have to stop and ask yourself “Should I do this?”…the answer is probably no. Use good judgment when online to stay safe and out of trouble.
Check out this great video on what not to post https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yK7JYHM104k
Cyberbullying Policies
Dictionary.com defines cyberbullying as “bullying online by sending or posting mean, hurtful, or intimidating messages, usually anonymously.” When technology is used to harass or abuse a person it can very negatively affect that person who is the target. There are many different opinions surrounding cyberbullying policies. There is much debate on exactly how much schools should be involved. While all of this is being hashed out, there are certain steps that should be taken when cyberbullying occurs. The following image lists good guidelines on how to stop cyberbullying.
The Victoria Government in Australia suggests using the “nana rule” stating that “online actions have real consequences and if you wouldn’t do it in real life, don’t do it online. If you wouldn’t want your nana to know about it, don’t put it on the web!”
TeachThought.com has created a simple but powerful acronym to combat cyberbullying and encourage digital citizenship that you can share with your students:
Check out this funny video on how to stop cyberbullying…
References
Cyberbullying. (n.d.). Retrieved on July 10, 2017 from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cyberbullying
How to Stop Cyberbullying-Prevent Cyberbullying and Beat Cyberbullies [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/91euQfsYQx0
Images from:
http://1821662466.rsc.cdn77.org/images/cyber-bullying-picture-1.jpg
http://online.tarleton.edu/Home_files/EDTC_538/Week_4/THINK.jpg
Internet Safety - Digital Citizenship - Netiquette Overview [Video File]. Retrieved on July 10, 2017 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMOY9M-9AdA&feature=youtu.beRoblyer, M.D, & Doering, A.H. (2013, July).
Netiquette. (2017, July). Victoria State Government. Retrieved from http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/advicenetiquette.aspx
Netiquette: Rules of Behavior on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.education.com/reference/article/netiquette-rules-behavior-internet/
Online Safety: Top 10 Things Not to Post Online. (2017). Retrieved from http://www.kidzworld.com/article/24407-online-safety-top-10-things-not-to-post
Proper etiquette in social media tips [Video File]. Retrieved on July 10, 2017 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yK7JYHM104k
Shea, V. (2004). Netiquette. Available from https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0963702513/albioncom
Social Media Netiquette. (2010, March). Learn the Net. Retrieved on July 8, 2017 from http://www.learnthenet.com/learn-about/social-netiquette/index.php