OBSERVING NETIQUETTE

Let’s ask Ourselves

 What is netiquette
 How do we observe netiquette?

Key Vocabulary: Netiquette is a term used to refer to rules that show respect and
courtesy online.

Rules of Netiquette
There are ten rules that we have to remember when dealing with people online. These
rules are divided into three sections: cyber manners, cyber smarts and cyber
communications.
1. Cybermanners
We already know the dangers brought by the effects of cyberbullying . It is a very
dangerous place to be in. To avoid this, we must do our share for us not to start
a fight with another person online.
a. Be polite.
Remember how our parents used to remind us to say polite words? This is
the same thing when we are online. If we do not want to be a bully, we have
to be polite to others as well.
b. Think before we write or type.
The send button is always very easy to click; but once we click it, we cannot
undo it. We have to think of what we want to say before we even type it into
our computers.
c. Behave online just like how we would behave in real life.
As a general rule, whatever manners or values our parents and teachers have
taught us, we must apply them online. Be kind to others with our thoughts
and words, and we will avoid any danger online.
2. Cyber smarts
Kindness is one aspect of netiquette, but being smart about using the internet is
also another aspect. We have learned that there are threats to our safety that are
caused by malware or phishing. Following the rules below will help us overcome
these threats.
a. Never give out or post personal information.
Everything about us and our family should be our alone. Do not post about
it.
b. Do not do anything uncomfortable.
 If people ask us to post or share stuffs online and we are not comfortable or
okay with it, do not hesitate to say no.
c. Only visit safe websites.
Safe websites are websites that we know are appropriate for our age. If our
parents or teachers told us to browse a certain website, it is safe.
3. Cyber communication
The rules below are all about communicating online. What should we put in our
messages? How should we talk with other people? Communication is also a key
to avoid cyberbullying.
a. Do not talk to strangers.
Same as what are parents and teachers have told us, we should not talk to
strangers online. They may want to trick us into downloading unsafe sites.
b. Keep messages short.
Longer messages are better delivered personally in a formal setting. When
communicating online, always make sure that our thoughts are complete but
written in a short manner.
c. Use emoticon for the proper emotion, but use them moderately.
Emoticons are combinations of keyboard characters use to display emotion.
Since people do not see how we feel as we are behind our computers, we may
use emoticons.
d. Do not use ALL CAPS.
Using ALL CAPS (or capital letters), is equivalent to shouting. Shouting at
another person is rude. We should not practice it.

Let’s try this!

Practice Netiquette.
Put a Check Mark before each number if the statement shows netiquette. Put an
X Mark if the statement does not show netiquette.
____1. Phil’s message to Sophia was “Hello Sophia! How was your day?”
____2. Sophia was not yet finished with what she was saying, but she clicked the
Send button already.
____3. Phil only used the emoticon at the end of his message.
____4. Sophia only said positive things to her friends online.
____5. Phil clicked an ad and downloaded an unknown software.