What is netiquette?
While technology has allowed us to create all sorts of new things using many new tools, it has also created new words that should be a part of our vocabulary. One of these words is ‘netiquette.’ It is a combination of the words internet and etiquette and is something that all good digital citizens should be familiar with. According to Ribble and Bailey (2007) Digital Etiquette is being cognizant of responsible online behavior in order to be a good digital citizen. The following video explains the importance of netiquette.
As the video states, when online, users must know online etiquette rules and use common sense while also being considerate. The video lists 10 core rules of netiquette, but everything starts with the “Golden Rule”.
Three of the key rules found in the video that all good digital citizens should be sure to follow are:
• Do not email anything that you are not prepared to say directly to someone
• Follow the same standards of behavior that a person should follow in real life
• Respect the privacy of others
A key rule of netiquette is to, in fact, respect other people’s privacy. When an internet user does not take every precaution, and sometimes even when they do, there are people out there who unfortunately do not follow this important rule of netiquette and who have bad intentions.
Click on the following link to view a video that is a cautionary tale telling why it is important to protect yourself and what people with bad intentions can do.
Protect Your Privacy Cautionary Tale: Soccer Girl
Click on the following link to view a video that is a cautionary tale telling why it is important to protect yourself and what people with bad intentions can do.
Protect Your Privacy Cautionary Tale: Soccer Girl
As a good digital citizen, make sure you are familiar with each of the 10 Core Rules of Netiquette.
Core Rules of Netiquette
Core Rules of Netiquette
Why is it important to use proper netiquette?
Because so many high school students have access to the internet, they spend a great deal of time online. Many are snap chatting with friends, updating statuses via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter or posting pictures to these social media sites. Not only are high school students using computers, tablets, and iPads, they are also utilizing cell phones to send text messages as a way of communicating with others or accessing social media. Many teens live in the present and do not give a second thought to the potential repercussions of posting information online. Not only do teens need to learn about netiquette, they also must learn about internet safety and the impact the long-lasting digital footprint can have on their lives. What teens post today can turn up later in college admission decisions and employment hiring.
Like in real life, basic core values need to be practiced and it is important for both parents and educators to establish a code of conduct for teenagers accessing technology. Many schools have instituted Acceptable Use Policies as a code of conduct and standards for students to live by while engaging with technology. At home similar standards should be followed and adhered to. Teens need to know that if they ever come across something that makes them feel uncomfortable or appears hurtful to someone, they should report it and talk about it with a trusted adult. This reporting is not considered tattling.
Like in real life, basic core values need to be practiced and it is important for both parents and educators to establish a code of conduct for teenagers accessing technology. Many schools have instituted Acceptable Use Policies as a code of conduct and standards for students to live by while engaging with technology. At home similar standards should be followed and adhered to. Teens need to know that if they ever come across something that makes them feel uncomfortable or appears hurtful to someone, they should report it and talk about it with a trusted adult. This reporting is not considered tattling.
additional resources for digital communication
The FBI’s “A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety”
Basic Internet Safety from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Making the Most of the Internet
Online Safety from Kids Health
Safe Connects Program
Digital Citizenship Slideshow
Online Safety Tips for Students
Basic Internet Safety from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Making the Most of the Internet
Online Safety from Kids Health
Safe Connects Program
Digital Citizenship Slideshow
Online Safety Tips for Students
Digital Citizenship by Tom DeMatteis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.