What is Netiquette
Netiquette These are the basic rules of behavior that must be put into practice when using the Internet.
The term netiquette is a Spanish translation of the term netiquettewhich in turn is a word composed of label (label, in French), and net (network, internet).
The word netiquette was used for the first time in the “Netiquette guidelines” (“Netiquette Guidelines”), a set of rules for good online behavior created and published in 1995 by the Internet organization Engineering Task Force (Internet Engineering Task Force), in charge of creating standards for the proper functioning of the network.
Although netiquette rules are not mandatory, the idea is to put them into practice to make the Internet a friendly, safe and reliable place for all users.
In fact, since many of these guidelines are adaptations of already existing social norms, many users comply with them, even if they do not know that this is good online behavior.
15 rules of netiquette
These are some general internet etiquette guidelines:
1. Good education
Digital communications should always be preceded by good manners. Common expressions in coexistence offline They are useful (and necessary) in the online world to make the exchange of ideas and information much more pleasant. Say good morning, say hello, thank you, say goodbye, etc. They are expressions of education and courtesy.
An example of netiquette In this case it would be sending an email whose header is “Good morning”, or the corresponding greeting.
2. Respect spelling
In the digital world it is much more difficult to understand the intention or tone with which they are speaking to us, and this can lead to misunderstandings.
Use punctuation marks, write correctly and even use emojis or resources that help contextualize the message is a rule that can help clarify the tone of the message.
An example of netiquette would be to avoid writing in capital letters. Not only is it unnecessary, but in the digital world capital letters are interpreted as shouting.
See also Emoji.
3. World-like behavior offline
For the digital world, a simple rule is suggested to apply before taking any action, especially if it has to do with making a comment, claim or statement. It is about thinking if the action that is going to be carried out would be done in the same way in the “real” world.
An example of netiquette, which also serves as an exercise, is: if you are going to send an email with an aggressive claim, would you do the same if you were face to face with the recipient? If you were going to leave a mocking comment about someone, would you do the same thing in front of that person?
This rule is very important, because if all internet users put it into practice it would help create a much safer digital space.
4. Respect the rules of each community
Participating in a cooking recipe forum is not the same as participating in one of comics. Each community has its own rules of digital coexistence. Before participating in any of them, the ideal would be to understand the terms under which they are handled, so as not to say or do something inappropriate for that group.
There are online communities where participants are asked not to use vulgar language. That would be a netiquette example.
5. Share knowledge
Netiquette suggests that if you are an expert in a topic, the ideal is to use the network to share what you have learned with those who do not have access to that type of knowledge or skills.
An example of netiquette They are all the free tutorials and courses that can be found on the Internet, taught by experts in a specific area.
6. Avoid controversy and the dissemination of fake news
Internet etiquette advises avoiding commenting or giving an opinion on topics that are not mastered, as it contributes to creating more noise and misinformation. The same applies to false or unconfirmed news, which not only should not be commented on but should not be disseminated either.
An example of netiquette It would be rejecting or not spreading WhatsApp chains with unconfirmed information.
7. Value other people’s time and resources
Before sharing something online, it is best to make sure it is concise, appropriate and brief. Consuming digital information not only requires the time of the person receiving the message, but also data or bandwidth.
An example of netiquette in this case they are the short audio notes.
8. Help others
Netiquette advises that, as a rule of coexistence in the digital world, users help each other, especially when they do not understand how to manage the use of the Internet.
This applies to older people who do not understand technology or to anyone who has difficulty understanding how the website or a specific tool works (opening an email, filling out an online form, registering on a social network, etc.)
An example of netiquette are technology support forums in which expert people help other users solve common problems with their equipment or operating systems.
9. Respect for privacy
This rule of netiquette is one of the most important. It refers to not sharing other people’s data or information, especially if this exposes them in some way. It is unethical to share audiovisual material without the authorization of those who appear in them, nor their personal information or any other content without their consent.
An example of netiquette It would be not reading the contents of others on shared computers or not forwarding photographs of third parties without their permission.
10. Report inappropriate behavior
If a user is aware of any inappropriate behavior (dissemination of images of third parties, digital harassment, etc.), they have the duty to report it to the competent authorities.
An example of netiquette These are the options for reporting or blocking social networks, in which you can report a user or account that is engaging in practices that affect the digital community.
See also: Haters and Cyberbullying.
11. Respect working hours
Netiquette suggests that all communication that has to do with the work environment (emails, calls, instant messages) be carried out during work hours. By doing so outside of those hours, you are interrupting the employee’s or colleague’s rest time.
An example of netiquette are the rules created in some companies to avoid communications outside of working hours. However, in Spain, the Organic Law on Data Protection already protects the right of workers not to respond to messages of this type if they are sent at inappropriate hours.
12. Remember that we interact with other humans
When we respond to a message, send an email, make a claim on a social network, etc., what is on the other side of the screen is another human being. Therefore, ideally kindness, respect and empathy should always be present.
An example of netiquette It is to send a private message on a social network to make a claim.
13. Maintain discretion
If a personal matter is discussed in an email, it should not be copied to third parties, especially if they have nothing to do with the matter raised.
An example of netiquetteIf it were in the workplace, it would be to explain the personal situation to the immediate boss and request that it not be shared with other bosses or colleagues to maintain their privacy.
14. Give context
When replying to an email, netiquette suggests citing the email to which the response refers. In this way, all those involved will understand the context of the topic raised and their respective responses.
An example of netiquette It would be to respond to the email and explain that the original message is going to be cited so that all recipients are aware of the situation.
15. Introduce yourself
When being admitted to a virtual community, discussion forum or chat group, the first thing to do is greet the group. It is the same thing that would be done when presented to the world offline.
An example of netiquette It would be greeting when being incorporated into a WhatsApp group, and saying the name in case the group members are not known.
See also: