Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe the way you’ve been engaging with social media hasn’t been intentional? Or, that maybe that you’ve had some cruel intentions with posting? Whether or not you have reflected on your digital etiquette, the question remains the same for all of us: Do we really use social media in the best way that we should? And should the freedom to use social media however we want include harmful & negative behaviour? When you consider this it’s hard to know what standard of digital etiquette exists in our world today.
Digital Etiquette or “Netiquette” is classified as a specific standard of conduct that’s understood and practiced by others online (“Etiquette”, 2011). You can probably imagine how beneficial this might be when invasion of privacy issues are on the rise, and unregulated areas (like Instagram) leave cyberbullies running rampant. Digital etiquette can only help eradicate environments of bullying, protect the dignity and security of others, and foster principles of respect among people, online and off — so why not do your part and start practicing it?
If you’re not sure what falls under digital etiquette, The Heartland Area Education Agency (link) has some great insight to best practice techniques and sample scenarios. Here are some reflections I put together based on their insight that you can consider:
- Am I using technology to encourage bullying behaviour?
- Am I posting photos/videos of others without their consent?
- Will this post cause serious harm to this person’s reputation, livelihood or mental health?
- Is this photo even mine to share? Is it personal? Did I steal it from someone else?
These aren’t the only practices or guidelines that make up digital etiquette practices; but if you’re new to it, it is definitely a good place to start.
References:
“Etiquette”. The Heartland Area Education Agency, 2011, sites.google.com/a/aea11.k12.ia.us/heartland-digital-citizenship/etiquette
Trautner, Tracy. “Cyberbullying and the dangers associated with it”. Michigan State University Extension, 19 October 2016, www.canr.msu.edu/news/cyberbullying_and_the_dangers_associated_with_it
