Online etiquette/Gadjets in our life
Etiquette, the behavioral requirements per societal conventions and what is customary among others in a professional or casual setting. Emotional intelligence is at the core of any etiquette system. No one is perfectly emotionally intelligent, of course. We all have little areas of doubt when it comes to our behavior. Whether online or in real life, etiquette rules aim to make one another feel as welcome and comfortable as possible. Digital etiquette provides us with rules of behavior for using technology to interact with others. Netiquette, a portmanteau of network and etiquette, can be used interchangeably with the term digital etiquette.
Social media, particularly concerning the prevention of bullying and other abusive behavior
Online classes Protecting the privacy of personal information for one's self and others
Information consumption and dissemination, particularly for news media
Some digital etiquette guidelines may seem obvious. However, no one should be judged for lacking situational awareness in the big, imperfect world of ones and zeros. Most of us can reflect on a digital faux pas that we committed and then turned into a growth and learning experience. For example, who among us has never done any of the following:
Hit "reply all" by accident or hit 'send' too soon on emails?
Posted and then had to retract unsubstantiated news reports on social media immediately?
Sent a text to the wrong person?
Had to speak over their dog's barking during a remote meeting?
Said something indiscreet, thinking they were still on mute?
Significance of Online Etiquette
Violating rules of online etiquette can be embarrassing. With any luck, the embarrassment produces growth and learning. In this way, the digital world and the natural world are the same. Some digital etiquette sources even claim that the digital world is the real world; this is debatable, but it does drive home an important point: Logging out of a smartphone or laptop does not make the consequences of someone's actions go away. Every time someone goes online, there is always a digital footprint.
Laptops are portable and can go wherever you go. Online communications are therefore easy and convenient. Enjoy the freedom of this digital age while observing the rules of netiquette.
Working on a laptop outdoors.
Online Etiquette For Students
Most everyone in the developed world has by now either attended or taught online classes. That, or they know someone who has. Online education elements requiring netiquette include:
Chatbox: During class, the chatbox is a great place to communicate. Be sure to stay on topic. Never 'yell' by using all caps and exclamation points.
Keep the mute button on as a default.
"Ask three before you ask me," digital version: Before posing a question, it is often a good idea to conduct a quick online search to see if the answer is readily available.
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Online Etiquette Rules
Whether we are online or offline, humans are rule-bound creatures. Read below for some tenets of acceptable online behavior:
Respect: As a rule, one should show others basic respect and kindness by not say anything online that they would not also say offline. Show respect by being aware of others' time when communicating online; tailor messaging accordingly.
Accuracy: Rumors spread very quickly in the online world. Endeavoring to be part of the solution and not part of the problem is a step in the right direction. Verify anything before posting or reposting. If one has mistakenly spread misinformation, own up to it and then move on.
Appropriate language use: Language that is appropriate in one setting might be inappropriate in another. One of the trickier things to get right online is tone. Hence, emojis are a handy tool for getting across what words may not. Using emojis, though, may mark the communication as more informal than intended.
Email netiquette: Emails are more formal than texts or instant messages. Emails should have complete, well-written sentences, with emojis making an appearance only when necessary. However, emails can sign off informally with thanks.
Be Respectful
Being respectful when communicating online means:
Consider others' time just as vital by making the messages as direct and succinct as possible while maintaining a friendly tone.
Use 'bcc' on mass emails to respect others' privacy by not making their email address known to everyone receiving your email.
Make emails user-friendly by including helpful links when possible and by attaching only small documents to prevent overusing the memory on recipients' computers.
Refrain from using offensive language or making inappropriate jokes.
Never humiliate others by pointing out their digital etiquette errors.
Use of Language
It should be noted that activism of all types has taken off exponentially due to digital communication. None of the online etiquette rules discussed should be mistaken for an admonishment against engaging in honest and open discourse online concerning the pressing issues of our time.
Freedom of speech, though, does not mean one can say anything to anyone anytime they want. Yelling fire in a crowded theater is criminal behavior. Causing harm due to online behavior potentially violates criminal law.
Accuracy
Establishing and maintaining information accuracy is one of the biggest challenges facing online communications. Social media platforms are increasingly flagging posts that spread lies. There have been horrific wrecks along the 'information superhighway.' They will continue until more is done in the name of information literacy.
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Video Transcript
What Is Online Etiquette?
When you go to a party, you think about etiquette whether you realize it or not. A work party is quite different when compared to a rave or a family party. Each of them have social norms and rules to be followed. For example, you can wear a bikini at the beach but not at the opera.
The Internet is exactly the same way. Depending on your audience, and how you're communicating, there are different rules to be followed. This is called online etiquette, or netiquette for short. Online etiquette is the correct or acceptable way of communicating or behaving on the Internet.
Expressing Tone in Text
Perhaps the hardest lesson to teach about Internet etiquette are the subtle things like tone. How do you best show emotions in your emails? Should you use sarcasm or make jokes? How can you express yourself so that people understand what you mean?
It's actually hard to perfect, and it takes a lot of practice. Communicating on the Internet often leads to
misunderstandings. People will try to make a joke and come across as sarcastic and mean, or people will send a simple, perfunctory email and will be portrayed as cold. That's the very reason that emoticons, otherwise known as emotes or emojis, came to exist. They're a way of showing emotions or making it clear that you're joking, and they work well in informal communication as long as you don't use too many. However, they're not appropriate in formal emails. So what do you do then?
The best advice is to be really careful how you write. If an email is important and you have time, write a draft and read it back a few hours later, or even the next day. Find a balance between professional and relaxed, business-like but not cold, and make sure that your tone and meaning is truly clear from the words alone. When in doubt, avoid sarcasm, controversial opinions or jokes, and anything that could be misinterpreted.
Remember that everyone you're talking to is another human being. Treat them the way you would treat anyone you meet in person. One of the biggest mistakes people make on the Internet is saying and doing things they wouldn't do in real life, so don't be that person. If other people make etiquette mistakes, remember that they're human too!
Grammar, Email Subjects, and Signing Off
If you're used to writing letters or talking at people via text messages, writing an email can be a bit of an adjustment. Emails aren't usually as formal as a written letter, and they're certainly not as informal as a text message. So what's the correct way to do it? That depends on your audience.
If you're applying for a job, an email should almost be as formal as a letter would be. Definitely err on the side of too formal. On the other hand, if you're emailing a friend or family member, it's far better to be relaxed in those situations. An email is always more formal than a text message, and it's important to always use proper grammar and full sentences. Writing in all capital letters or overusing exclamation marks will immediately show you to be an Internet rookie. Text speak or netspeak (like ttyl or lol) is also generally frowned upon in emails. The occasional smile :) or wink ;) can be okay in an informal email, but not in any professional or serious situation.
Emails also have something that letters don't: a subject line. It's best to make these short and to the point. For example, 'Publicist Job Application' or 'Shows we should see in New York' both work fine. The subject line should help remind you too why you're writing. Remember not to ramble in emails, especially professional ones. People value their time, and they'll thank you for brevity
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