Internet Safety

Netiquette Tips

In order to avoid awkward or negative experiences while communicating online, it is helpful to know the basics of netiquette. Netiquette refers to network etiquette for online communications and can be very helpful for beginners. Listed below are a few basic tips everyone should practice when communicating online.

• Be Respectful
  Always treat others as you would like to be treated. A good rule of thumb is not to communicate anything online that you would not be willing to say to a person's face.
• Don't Be Too Quick to Take Offense
  In online communication, we usually cannot see facial expressions, judge body language or hear tone of voice. Therefore, it is very easy to misinterpret the meaning of a message or post. Also, the technology itself tends to make us less personable. Before taking the offensive, clarify a message with the sender.
• Use Emoticons and Abbreviations to Convey Meaning
  To convey tone, humor and meaning, learn common abbreviations, like "lol" (laugh out loud) or "jk" (just kidding), or use emoticons, such as :) or :( or =0. However, be careful not to overuse these symbols, otherwise your messages might become annoying or hard to read.
• Protect the Privacy of Others
  As a courtesy, you should ask permission before posting photos or videos of others online. You should also protect the email addresses of others by deleting them from emails you forward.
• Check Your Language
  Using offensive language online is unpleasant and can cause people to view you negatively. Take a few moments to check your communication before sending it, and avoid using foul or inappropriate language.

For a more extensive resource on netiquette, visit Albion.com or NetworkEtiquette.net. Also, keep in mind that the rules may vary for email, online chats, web forums, online gaming and other social networking outlets. It may be smart to search for specific rules pertaining to the particular outlet you are using.