Netiquette vs Internet Ethics
Every society has an etiquette code that governs acceptable behavior. The behavior that is considered courteous and polite in society is the cornerstone of etiquette. Though it is a new idea, ‘netiquette' is very similar to etiquettes. In the same way that ‘etiquette' addresses acceptable behavior in general, ‘netiquette' addresses acceptable behavior on digital media and the internet.
In today's world, the widespread and expanded usage of the internet has had both positive and harmful implications for individuals and societies. The easy availability of information, as well as the ease and speed with which it may be transmitted, has expanded the range of possibilities, necessitating the establishment of a set of norms for online behavior. This emphasizes the importance of having a regulatory body or set of norms in place to advise users and discipline them when necessary.
Because there is no single authority that owns the internet, the question of who will define and enforce "netiquette" to regulate online behavior arises. Various organizations have issued standards regarding ethical internet behavior, particularly when undertaking research. The Computer Ethics Institute, for example, created the "Ten Commandmentsof ComputerEthics" in 1992. This is not, however, the only institution that has attempted to regulate internet activity. On the Internet, there is also a set of acceptable behavior, an informal code of conduct that most internet users follow. Those who do not adhere to these guidelines are rejected or chastised by other users.
Some of the most common violations of this informal code of conduct are practices such as spamming, flaming, pretending to be someone else, and often, using capitalization in mass emails with the purpose of harassing the recipient. Spamming is when a standardized commercial email is sent to hundreds of people at a time, often flooding their inboxes with emails they don’t want. Flaming is the unnecessary use of abusive or hostile language. It is often a personal attack in an aggressive tone. Pretending to be someone else behind the curtain of anonymity that internet offers is another such offense.
In addition to the foregoing, Internet research ethics governs online activities. When conducting research online, most internet researchers, both professionals and amateurs, are worried about internet research ethics. They deal with issues such as anonymity, erroneous information, data privacy, and informed consent, especially in relation to research participants, and they apply ethical methods for gathering research data with total transparency.
Spamming, flaming, pretending to be someone else, and, most commonly, employing capitalization in mass emails with the intent of tormenting the recipient are some of the most common infractions of this informal rule of conduct. Spamming occurs when a standardized commercial email is sent to hundreds of people at once, frequently overflowing their inboxes with unwanted messages. Flaming is the use of harsh or aggressive language without cause. It's usually a personal attack delivered in an angry tone. Another such violation is pretending to be someone else behind the veil of anonymity provided by the internet.
In the end, the internet was created to make life easier and to accelerate the movement of information and media. However, as the internet's use has grown, it has become vital for someone to monitor individual conduct online in order to maintain safe internet use. Whether it's for general use or study, the internet poses a number of risks to individuals who utilize it. As a result, it is these principles that assure online safety. In general, users do this on their own, but institutions may get involved if a potential treatment impacts a significant number of people or is a concern of national security.
10 Basic Rules of Netiquette or Internet Etiquette
Know Your Manners When Using Technology
The rules of etiquette are just as important in cyberspace as they are in the real world—and the evidence of poor netiquette can stick around to haunt you for much longer. Follow these basic rules of netiquette to avoid damaging your online and offline relationships.
Make Real People a Priority
Nothing is more irritating than trying to have a conversation with someone who is engrossed in their phone or computer. If someone is in the room with you, stop what you are doing and look at them. Don't answer your cell phone unless it is to tell the person on the other end that you will call them right back.
If you are expecting an important call or email, let the person with you know upfront, and apologize for taking the call.
This is doubly true if the person you are with is your date, partner, or child. Constantly checking your email, voicemail, or Facebook while you are with them gives them the message that you don't care about them. And it is extremely annoying to be with someone who is having a conversation that you are not part of.
This is also true of public places, such as restaurants, public transit, stores, elevators, and libraries. Avoid taking phone calls and having conversations in these shared spaces.
Use Respectful Language
Name-calling, cursing, expressing deliberately offensive opinions—if you wouldn't do it to the face of anyone who might conceivably see what you write, don't write it. This goes for any social media site, forum, chat room, or email message, even if you think it can't be traced back to you. It can.
And it's not just what you say, but how you say it. Either take the trouble to use the shift key for capital letters, or write in all lower case, but don't use caps lock. Text in all caps is generally perceived as yelling. Please don't forget to say please and thank you as appropriate.
Share With Discretion
Avoid sending naked sext pictures, drunk pictures, drug use pictures or unedited home video. If you would have a problem with your boss, your parents, or your kids seeing it now, or at any point in the future, don't post it online.
The same goes for phone conversations in public places. Just because you can't see the person you are talking to doesn't mean everyone around you can't see and hear you.
Don't Exclude Others
If you have an in-joke to share with one other person, or a small number of people in a larger online group, send them a private message. Don't make everyone else feel left out by posting an obscure comment to your Facebook status, forum, or Instagram story.
The same goes for laughing at texted or emailed jokes when you are in the presence of others. If you don't want to share the joke, save it for later.
Choose Friends Wisely
It is insulting to be dropped from someone's friend list on a social media site. So, think about it before sending a friend request or accepting an invitation. If you don't want to be in touch with someone, don't add them in the first place.
If you want to stay in touch with a colleague for professional reasons, tell them you only use Facebook for close personal friendships. Then join LinkedIn or another professional networking site for more distant contacts.
The obvious exception to this is if you "friend" someone while you are getting along, and then you have a disagreement. Then, by all means, unfriend them if the relationship is beyond repair. But don't torture them with on-again-off-again friending.
Don't Email Large Files
You might think that sequence of nature pictures with inspirational statements is wonderfully moving. It might even give you a sense of serenity. But that is the last thing it will give the person you email it to if it crashes their server, or depletes their inbox quota. Post large files to your own space and send people a link. Don't attach it to an email.
And if you reply to a message, delete all but the most recent correspondence from the sender, otherwise, the message gets really, really long. One of you will be upset if you have to print it out one day, and the whole conversation uses up 20 pages.
Respect People's Privacy
Don't forward information sent to you without checking with the original sender first. Use BCC (blind carbon copy) rather than CC (carbon copy) if you are sending something out to more than one person. You might think that we are all friends online, but your friends may not want their names and or email addresses publicized to people they do not even know.
The same goes for uploading photos or videos that include other people to public space or sending them out to your own contacts. And remember, if you tag people on Facebook, others can access pictures of those people, unless they have adjusted their privacy settings.
Finally, don't sign up for newsletters and other communications using someone else's email address.
Fact Check Before Reposting
That cure for cancer might sound pretty impressive, but it will just cause upset if it is a hoax. And urban myths add to the noise of the internet and waste people's time. If you aren't sure of the facts, email it to someone who does know or can find out. Or do a search on Google or snopes.com.
Don't forget that many viruses are circulated via chain letters and invitations to send some seemingly pertinent piece of information to ten of your friends, or everyone in your address book. So don't be naive. Forwarding that message will not bring you good luck, just bad karma.
Respond to Emails Promptly
By all means, ignore and delete spam, unsolicited messages, and crazy stuff. But if you have given someone your email address or if you are in a position where people could reasonably be expected to contact you by email and your email address is public, have the courtesy to reply to their message within a few days. If it is going to take longer to reply, email them and tell them that.
Don't simply ignore a question because you don't want to give the answer. Write back saying that it is a difficult question and they might be better off seeking the information elsewhere.
Update Online Information
Don't leave inaccurate information online just because you can't be bothered to update your website. If you are going to be unavailable, for example, don't leave your hours of operation online indicating you will be available. If you can't keep your website up to date, take it down.
A Word From Verywell
It is easy to lose your sense of what is going on around you when you are using technology, but engaging directly with others is more important than ever. Don't forget the positive impact you can make by putting down your phone and having a real, face-to-face conversation.
Souce: https://www.verywellmind.com/ten-rules-of-netiquette-22285
