Netiquette in the Cybercommunity
Cyberspace is a network of human relationships online where the people involved often interact without meeting in "real life." Because online communication often does not include human conversation cues such as body language or tone of voice, it is difficult to understand a person's intention when receiving a message.
"Glad to meet you, new kid!"
Is this a true welcome, is it sarcastic, or could it be threatening?
"Glad to meet you, new kid!"
"Glad to meet you, new kid!"
"Glad to meet you, new kid!"
Exchanging messages via e-mail, chat, or discussion board sometimes means conversations happen too fast. In a face-to-face conversation, we can tell if someone still has more to say or is rethinking an earlier comment. Because real-life conversations include slight lags, "umms," and silences, we have more time to consider words and the emotions or ideas they communicate. Because electronic messages are received more quickly without the give-and-take of a real-life conversation, sometimes we say something that causes offense or pain.
And that message is permanent; people will always be able to look up a record of what someone typed, without the opportunity to consider the emotions or circumstances when the message was sent.
"Glad to meet you, new kid!"
Is this a true welcome, is it sarcastic, or could it be threatening?
"Glad to meet you, new kid!"
"Glad to meet you, new kid!"
"Glad to meet you, new kid!"
Exchanging messages via e-mail, chat, or discussion board sometimes means conversations happen too fast. In a face-to-face conversation, we can tell if someone still has more to say or is rethinking an earlier comment. Because real-life conversations include slight lags, "umms," and silences, we have more time to consider words and the emotions or ideas they communicate. Because electronic messages are received more quickly without the give-and-take of a real-life conversation, sometimes we say something that causes offense or pain.
And that message is permanent; people will always be able to look up a record of what someone typed, without the opportunity to consider the emotions or circumstances when the message was sent.
Cyberbullying
The absence of face-to-face communication can also change a person's attitude when online. People who are usually kind by nature may type something mean-spirited because they feel anonymous or unknown and they "can get away with it." Cyberbullying, sending mean-spirited comments or threats via e-mail, chat, or discussion boards to gain power over someone else by making them fearful of harm, isolating them socially, or preying on their self-image, should be reported to an adult.
Trolling
The internet can be a very powerful tool for exchanging ideas and information; it can also be a place where people who have strong, opposite ideas about an issue or event come into collision. Trolling is posting contrary or insulting comments in chat or discussion boards to lure others into argument for personal entertainment and/or to drag the discussion or chat off-topic.
Flaming
Some comments exchanged between two or more cybercitizens may begin as banter and teasing, then escalate to insults and hostile language including cursing. People get caught up in being viewed as smart and funny, compete with quick comebacks, and keep the exchange going over hours or even days to have the last word. Flaming creates a lasting record of ugly words that do not honor the target or the typist. There are times when we just need to "step away from the keyboard" and work out aggression in sports or exercise.
Spoofing
The anonymous nature of communicating by e-mail, chat, or discussion board may encourage people to try different identities. Sometimes this is as simple as picking an avatar or profile photo different from who you are, or creating a username that is different from your true name and suggests someone from a different background. Other times, the deception is intended to fool others we may know into revealing more about themselves. Spoofing is pretending to be someone we are not on the internet to gain access to information. It may be as simple as pretending to be a friend to find out what other people say about us; it may be as serious as stealing someone's information to gain access to bank accounts.
Laming
People may use harsh words or slang in order to sound "tougher" or more knowledgeable than they really are. Young cybercitizens may type words or phrases they themselves do not fully understand, copying older family members or television personalities in order to sound older or fit in. Laming is making empty or meaningless comments in an online chat or discussion board just for the sake of appearing in the chat or discussion.
iSafe--Internet Safety and Etiquette
- Etiquette is a code of personal behavior in social situations; netiquette is a code of personal behavior on the internet.
- Cyberbullying is just as wrong as other bullying--get an adult involved and show them the message. Computer messages are difficult to erase and provide examples to discuss with students who cyberbully, parents, principals, and, possibly, the police.
- YOU can prevent cyber-fires! Unkind communication in cyberspace is the same as unkind communication in the real world. Don't be a troll! Take a break from the keyboard if you find yourself typing a snappy comeback or trying to match or "one-up" someone with insults in a flame war.
- Be yourself, keep your private information private, and respect others' privacy. If you try to trick someone into sharing something with you they wouldn't share in person by spoofing, it is likely neither one of you will be happy about the outcome later on.
- If you find yourself in an online chat or on a discussion board with not much to say, log out and take a break! Read, play a game, find someone to talk to, play with pets, exercise, or enjoy a hobby that goes beyond using other people's words in a laming comment just to be noticed.
- Cyberspace is a community of real people, with real feelings, hopes, and dreams. Treat it with the same care as you do your relationships with family, friends, and classmates.