Section 4: Netiquette
Resources on this page
You will find resources related to the following topic:
- Following netiquette guidelines
“Netiquette” is a term that combines the terms “Internet” and “etiquette”. In other words, it is about how we use our manners to be polite and courteous in online interactions such as emails and discussion forums.
The following list of netiquette rules is adapted from the book Netiquette by Virginia Shea. Though published some time ago, this book is still commonly used as a guide for online communication. The following are important reminders for even the most experienced Internet users.
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Netiquette Rules |
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| 1 | Remember the Human | When typing out messages, think about how they might be received by the other person. Ask yourself: How would you feel if you were sent this message? Would you say this to the person’s face?
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| 2 | Adhere to the Same Standards of Behaviour Online that You Follow in Real Life | If something is illegal, unethical, or inappropriate offline, then it almost certainly is online as well.
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| 3 | Know Where You Are in Cyberspace | Shea recommends that you “lurk before you leap”. This could mean, for example, reading posts on an online discussion forum before posting so that you can get an idea of the expected tone and content.
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| 4 | Respect Other People’s Time and Bandwidth | Before you post or send a message, ask yourself: Does this need to be said? Have I said it as concisely as I could? Does this person need to be copied on this message?
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| 5 | Make Yourself Look Good Online | Take your time and craft your messages carefully. People can’t judge you for how you look online, but they can judge you by how you write. Using grammar and spell-checkers can help you make a good impression.
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| 6 | Share Expert Knowledge | One of the great benefits of the Internet is how easy it is to share expert knowledge with others. Of course, this can also lead to sharing misinformation. If you see something online that is not correct, you can direct people to more accurate information (politely!).
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| 7 | Help Keep Flame Wars Under Control | When people have strongly held opinions, they may post emotional messages which can create “flame wars”. It is best not to engage in these wars as they can detract from the main intention of the online group.
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| 8 | Respect Other People’s Privacy | Again, consider what you would do in person and apply the same rules to your online conduct.
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| 9 | Don’t Abuse Your Power | If your work position gives you access to other people’s computers and files, it’s important to use this power judiciously.
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| 10 | Be Forgiving of Other People’s Mistakes | We are all learners and we all make mistakes! Sometimes we might say something that comes across as inappropriate. Sometimes this has to do with language or cultural background, and other times we are just in a rush. It is not always necessary to point out these mistakes. If you do, do it in a private and supportive manner. |
Ready to test your knowledge of netiquette? Try this online quiz.
You can also share this slidecast (NOTE: Click on the PLAY button after opening the link to use this resource) and PDF from Bow Valley College with clients. These explain the concept of netiquette and provide some rules and advice.
References & Resources
Bow Valley College. (2017). eLearning toolkit: Netiquette. https://globalaccess.bowvalleycollege.ca/elearningtoolkit/slidecasts/ETR6-Netiquette-Guide/
Bow Valley College. (2016). eLearning toolkit: Netiquette guide. https://globalaccess.bowvalleycollege.ca/elearningtoolkit/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ETR6.pdf
Northern Kentucky University (NKU). (n.d.). Netiquette quiz. https://www.nku.edu/~rkdrury/experiment/netiquette_quiz.htm
Shea, W. (1994). Netiquette. Albion Books. http://www.albion.com/netiquette/book/index.html
