Often time’s people do not realize that the way they communicate via the internet (email, Facebook messages or direct messages) can seem disrespectful and rude to the person on the receiving end. It is important to one, keep in mind with whom you are communicating and two, always watch what you say on the internet, no matter how well you know the person you are “talking” to.

Typing and communicating in all capitals can often come off to the receiver as rude and harsh, as if you are yelling at them. While this may be how you communicate with your best friend, would you want your teacher or your boss in the future to think you are yelling at them? It is important to maintain a professional profile on the web, and starting with the way you talk to your friends is a great place to start! Always remember to re-read before you send and check your capitalization. Remembering correct grammar and punctuation will also show the reader that you put the time and effort into sounding professional and that YOU ARE NOT YELLING AT THEM (recognize the difference?)

Rule 1: Remember the human. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2015, from http://www.albion.com/netiquette/rule1.html

Ross, S. (2011, January 1). Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth. Retrieved February 3, 2015, from http://www.albion.com/netiquette/rule4.html

Remember the Human!

The most important rule out there when it comes to etiquette or netiquette is "treat others the way you would want to be treated" and "imagine how you'd feel if you were in the other person's shoes". In other words, whether it is in person or over the internet, everyone should remember there is a human being on the other side of the computer. In other words, this means because of technology more and more individuals are staring at a computer screen rather than a person’s face. Therefore, the facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice may be misinterpreted. Online interactions have made conversations less personal. This means that many internet users forget they are actually talking to another human. This often leads to cruel words, comments, or beliefs easier to be said over the internet rather than in person. When individuals have a screen to look at instead of a human face, it may sometimes be easier to lash out and say negative comments about others. Before you type, ask yourself “would you say this to a person’s face?”

It is extremely important to think before you post anything on any social media. Especially, if what you have to say may hurt someone else’s feeling. How would you feel if you received a rude or negative comment? That is the golden question to ask oneself when they are putting something on the internet directed towards another human being. If you would be hurt by such a negative comment, then don’t put it up. It is also important to remember that anything and everything you put onto the internet is out there forever! Once you click send, there is no way of getting it back or deleting, and it is out there forever. So remember, there is someone on the other side of the computer who is receiving your rude comments, you are impacting another individual negatively, and think how you would feel if you were in the other person’s shoes.

The Internet is a place for individuals to reach out to one another and network. Though one may not be judged for physical appearance, many are judged on the quality of writing when communicating online. That means make sure you spell words correctly and use correct grammar! Many individuals today have become accustomed to “texting lingo” with the technological world in which we live today. However, when networking and communicating online with employees, bosses, or just sending an application, one should make themselves look good and avoid grammar mistakes and spelling shortcuts by all means.

Netiquette for making yourself look good on the Internet includes paying attention to your writing. Make sure you make sense, are clear, logical, and factually correct. Once you read a post or comment you are about to say, reread it to make sure if that is what you want to say. As well, since conversations on the Internet lack the intimate content, remember to be polite and pleasant while online. Avoid using aggressive, offensive, and foul language to others over the Internet in which it can start unnecessary confrontation.

It is important that students are educated about netiquette and making themselves look good on the Internet for various reasons. Children need to understand the importance of looking presentable to the public even on the Internet. When one is online, what they write presents them to the world. As well as once you put something out onto the Internet, it is out there forever. So, be presentable in your writing online, be polite, and be logical. Many employment jobs are reaching out to potential employees via Internet, so make sure your grammar and spelling represent a professional individual!

First off, what is Bandwidth?

Bandwidth “is the information-carrying capacity of the wires and channels that connect everyone in cyberspace” (Ross). In other words, there is a limit to the amount of information and time that these channels in cyberspace can hold.

Respecting other’s time and bandwidth is important. Not everyone can be available at the same time on the web, and this is one of the reasons it is a great communicating tool. While this is a benefit, you have to remember that most times the other person you are emailing or replying to on a discussion board is not likely to respond within a few seconds or even a few minutes. While using and communicating on the internet it is important to recognize the point or reason to use it is for convenience. Keeping this in mind, emailing someone multiple times without waiting for response (or replying to a direct message or discussion board) is not only frustrating for others to sift through, but it uses other people’s bandwidth. It is imperative to realize that while waiting for a response can seem like it takes a lifetime, it is important in practicing good netiquette!

Finally, consider what you post on social media. While you may feel strongly about the latest news updates or political controversies, many use social media as a distraction or fun way to communicate and catch up with other people. So before posting that Facebook status, try to think about if this is what your friends would want to see, and what your expectations are. Not everyone will agree with your opinions, and you may not get as many “likes” or comments as you had hoped. It’s all about the audience and the way you conduct yourself in front of them, despite the screens separating you.