Netiquette = (Inter)net + Etiquette
To have a good reputation means that people around you have a positive opinion of you. They might have seen moments where you were kind to your friends, or when you did something nice for others. Similarly, people can also see how you behave online and this is what forms your online reputation.
There is no body language or tone of voice when we write messages on the internet. Capital letters in online conversation are perceived as yelling. It can come across as rude when someone writes entire messages, comments or posts in capital letters.
Whatever you publish online leaves traces. Even if you delete a post or message, it might be still floating somewhere around the web. This means that it could seen by your parents, teachers or future employers.
Remember, there is a person behind the screen – would you also say nasty things to them in person? Even if you are angry, it’s best to take a moment to cool-off and to rethink your message before pressing ‘send’.
Ask your friends for permission before uploading a photo of them or tagging them in a post. They might not want certain details about their life to be made public.
Just because you don’t mention someone else’s name when gossiping about them, it still doesn’t mean it’s Ok. The person who you are talking about might see your comments and realise that it’s about them.
Rumours and fake news spread online like a wildfire. Check the information before you post or share something – you can simply google it.
Have you received a message that says that you should forward it to 10 friends and your dream will come true? This kind of chain letters are spam. You can safely delete this message – don’t worry it won’t bring you bad luck.
As a rule of thumb, there are some things that you really shouldn’t post online, such as:
Read more about your Digital Footprint on the Childline website.