Rules of network etiquette you need to know
Netiquette can be simply understood as a set of rules and principles of polite behavior when participating in online spaces. These are important principles for maintaining a healthy and respectful online communication environment for the online community. These rules play an important role in building a positive online community and supporting positive interactions between members. In this article, we will further explore the role of netiquette and learn about the most basic rules for creating an online etiquette treatise.
1. Always be polite to others
To avoid excessive and inappropriate behavior in cyberspace, it is extremely important to maintain civility and kindness towards the Internet user community. No one person can fully understand the story and challenges. that others experience online. Therefore, hate speech, insults and offensive opinions should be strictly prohibited, regardless of whether it is in public spaces such as forums and comment sections or in private conversations.
The rule is very simple: if you wouldn't share a message in the real world, it shouldn't appear online either. Remember that any content has the potential to live on the web forever, and unsolicited opinions can have negative consequences. This can lead to complete bans from the platform and severe psychological impact on those affected.
If you experience online insults, harassment, or witness similar behavior, take action immediately. Report offensive posts or comments to moderators or service administrators.
Additionally, you can also intervene and practice positive Netiquette when you witness online insults. Discredit negative comments, try to educate and make participants understand your partner's perspective. In all situations, avoid using hatred and insulting yourself. Try to change the direction of the conversation, use respectful language, and clearly express your displeasure with hate.
2. Don't share too much information
One of the most important principles of Netiquette is caution when sharing information on the internet, especially on social networks. Remember that when you post a photo or any other content online, it can be viewed by everyone and cannot even be changed. So every time you post a message, ask yourself whether it is appropriate or not and think about the possible consequences at work, at school, in the family, with friends or even is with yourself.
Recklessly sharing personal information, although seemingly harmless, can have serious consequences. When you post a photo of yourself with your location or travel dates, you're giving bad guys information that you're leaving home.
By sharing details about your private life, such as your date of birth or pet name, you're providing answers to security questions, increasing the risk of your account's security. You could even provide cyber criminals with enough information to easily guess your password or even commit fraud and identity theft in your name.
3. Prioritize real people
If you decide to spend time checking messages and notifications on your phone while having lunch with a friend, it can create an uncomfortable feeling, and rightly so.
Focusing on your virtual life instead of focusing on the conversation in front of you can create the impression that you are not interested in the other person and can be considered seriously disrespectful.
Often, forms of communication such as voicemail, text messages, emails, and other aspects of online life can wait. Put all of this aside and focus completely on the person you are meeting. Face-to-face conversations are always preferred over virtual exchanges. If there are important calls or messages you're expecting, let your partner know in advance and apologize for any inconvenience that may occur.
4. Respect the privacy of others
Like the previous point, it's important to be careful about the information you share about others online. The photos you post online from parties or work meetings may seem like a simple way of sharing about everyday life, but you need to be aware that friends and colleagues may not want everyone to see you. know details about their private lives online.
Therefore, whenever you decide to share a photo or video that involves another person, follow the rules of online courtesy by asking them for their consent.
Be mindful of respecting recipient privacy when sending bulk emails. Use the BCC (blind copy) function instead of CC (copy) when there are multiple recipients of the message. BCC helps you hide your email address and maintain privacy. Remember that some people don't want strangers to be able to access their information online, so this is a good way to ensure respect and security of personal information.
5. Respond to emails and messages promptly
Although we all face unexpected changes and have messages forgotten in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we should try to handle important messages as soon as they are received. Maybe they're professional messages, emails from public organizations, or even private messages from people around you - most contain important information and can create anticipation. from the recipient's side.
However, if you cannot respond immediately, there is no need to worry. Let the sender know that you will get back to them as soon as possible. This helps keep expectations and demonstrates professionalism in handling information.
At the same time, always stay calm when faced with unwanted messages or spam that you do not want to receive. Stay focused on messages that are important and represent effective time management.
6. Check facts before posting
You've probably heard the phrase "don't believe everything you read on the Internet" before. Nowadays, fake news is becoming more and more popular on the web, so it has become extremely important to check the authenticity of information through different sources before sharing it on social networks. Doing this will help you avoid spreading information that may contain misinformation.
7. Keep your information up to date
If you are a business owner or have an online business, keeping your website updated is a must. Inaccurate information on a website can cause confusion and even create difficulties for customers. Take, for example, keeping information about your business up to date, like its address or opening hours. In case there is a change in delivery time compared to the estimate, it is important to notify the customer to avoid dissatisfaction.
For job seekers, the situation is similar: keep only the most relevant information in your CV and try to highlight previous work experiences. Following the rules of netiquette can be the deciding factor in your job search.