Agree that you want to find the digital community a safe and comfortable place. Well, your environment defines you, just as you shape your environment. For the Internet to be a platform for eco-communication, each user needs to pay attention to his behavior model. Ask yourself the question: would you say the same if you were communicating face-to-face instead of pushing several keys? In the real world, there are clear rules of etiquette that shape how we communicate, but how do we behave correctly online? This question is answered by the rules of netiquette. In this article, we will introduce you to the key tenets of this science.
What is netiquette?
Netiquette is a set of rules for respectful and appropriate communication online. It is based on the principles of mutual respect, courtesy, and attention to detail.
Netiquette is often referred to as Internet etiquette. However, it is not a set of legally binding rules, but a set of recommendations for your behavior. Netiquette is mainly used to communicate with strangers on the Internet. The rules of netiquette largely depend on the community and its participants. As a rule, netiquette is defined by the administrator of a website or communication application. It is also his responsibility to monitor compliance with the basic rules of web etiquette and to punish violations of them.
Important rules of netiquette
Being respectful and not using profanity in posts sounds pretty obvious. However, the modern Internet user has many habits that seem harmless, but in fact, may be a manifestation of disrespect for the online interlocutor. Let’s delve deeper into the key rules of netiquette.
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Respect for personal data
The personal data of the people you are talking to should be used with great caution or not used at all. Otherwise, it may be perceived as a violation.
When you send emails to several recipients at once, put the addressees in a hidden copy: some people don’t want their email to be available to anybody else. If you’re forwarding images or people’s contacts, it’s best to coordinate first. You can’t guarantee that a person likes the way they look in a photo, or that they’re willing to share their personal life with strangers.
And the obvious rule: do not register on the site, submitting someone else’s e-mail or other contact data.
Respect the other person’s privacy
You don’t want to distract people from personal matters that can be handled in the morning or on weekdays. Messengers often have a delayed sending function. This way you won’t forget to send a message, and you’ll have a chance to reread it. Respect the personal boundaries of your opponent. Even if you are sure he will not read the message over the weekend, notification about your letter may distract the person from resting. If you write to your colleagues, it is better to send a letter during the working day, but not 5 minutes before its end.
Moreover, do not use voice messaging with people you do not know well. If there is a particular need for this type of communication, first be sure to ask the person you are talking to if it would be convenient for him/her to listen to the voice message now.
Make your message clear
Sending messages of one word or sentence can be confusing: your conversation partner will reply before you’ve finished speaking. If the other party of communication didn’t mute the phone, constant notifications can be annoying.
Checklist for correct and timely messages:
Be tolerant and respectful
Sarcastic remarks and bluntly pointing out that other participants make mistakes is not the best way to prove yourself. Try to avoid extensive criticism, otherwise, you can be called a snob. By the way, the word “toxic” has emerged to define such behavior. It is better to point out the mistake to the person in a private message (not for public display) in a calm tone. It is better not to pay attention to minor mistakes.
Furthermore, it is worth remembering that sarcasm is hard to recognize in writing. In personal communication with friends and family, it is better to add to the message appropriate emoji.
Respect the opinion of the other person. Do not engage in heated arguments, trying to prove your point of view. It is quite possible that you won’t change anyone’s mind, but you can spoil relationships for sure.
Study the community rules
Usually, the rules of online communication are determined by the moderators or administrators of the community. Violations of netiquette can include non-compliance with community rules. The administrator can, for example, ban a user.
Rules are set according to the values of the community, technical limitations, and other parameters. If you are a member of social networking groups, you have probably noticed that a set of basic rules of communication is spelled out in the description of the channel/group/community.
Observe the rules of speech
- Avoid capital letters. Many people in the virtual space perceive text written IN CAPITAL LETTERS as a scream. Therefore, it is better to avoid writing with Caps Lock.
- Write correctly. Literate speech is pleasant and better perceived by interlocutors. Your messages with mistakes can become an object of disrespect. The information you deliver competently will be more trustworthy.
- Do not abuse the number of emojis. Yes, they allow you to convey an emotion. But the accumulation of emoticons can be frightening. In addition, the reader may suffer from breaking through emojis to the main idea.
Final thoughts
Remember that your reputation is made up of both your behavior in real life and impressions of your online interactions. As a modern Internet user, it is crucial to remain ethical, even knowing that the person on the other side of the screen may never meet you in real life. Netiquette helps to set the form of communication on the Internet, but now it is not a documented set of rules. That is why it is the task of every representative of the web community to carry these rules to the masses in order to create a comfortable and safe space. After all, the Internet remembers everything and if your inappropriate online behavior in the past has left a strong imprint on your reputation, the chances of successfully scaling your digital business in the future will decrease dramatically.
