Just like in "real life", manners are very important when online. Please see the chart below of 10 core rules of netiquette as posted on http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html.
I will elaborate on each one to help equip you with the knowledge you need to practice good etiquette.
1. Remember the human: In other words, don't forget that everyone you're dealing with is human, just like you. If you wouldn't say it to their face, you probably shouldn't say it online either!
2. Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life: Be thoughtful, kind, polite, and keep your standard of ethics high.
3. Know where you are in cyberspace: Just like certain rules are different at school versus home versus in the community, the same holds true online. Follow the rules "where you are" in cyberspace and you should be just fine!
4. Respect other people's time and bandwidth: Unnecessary emails, forwards, and postings take up time and also bandwidth. Make sure you are respectful of others and don't clog their email or system with unnecessary information.
5. Make yourself look good online: Most of the time, the words you write are what represent you online. Use proper grammar, spelling, and word pairings. Put your best foot forward all the time, every time!
6. Share expert knowledge: Participate (using good netiquette, of course) in online communities. Chances are, there are people who know stuff you want to learn more about and you know stuff other people want to learn more about. Share info, learn info--it's a "win-win"!
7. Help keep flame wars under control: What is a flame, you say? A flame is a situation in which someone "tells it like it is" on the internet without much thought or feeling toward how the recipient is going to respond. Typically a figurative "flame"and then "fire" then ensues. We should not "add fuel to fire", so to speak. Don't encourage the flaming behavior and it will likely go out soon enough.
8. Respect each other's privacy: Don't snoop into other people's emails or social media accounts, even if they left them open. Don't forward information that doesn't belong to you. Just don't do it!
9. Don't abuse your power: Let's say you become a group administrator on social media or for your company or school. Don't abuse that responsibility, otherwise it might not be your responsibility for much longer.
10. Be forgiving of other people's mistakes: We mess up. Others mess up. It happens! Fix it, ask for forgiveness and a clean slate going forward. Accept apologies and grant clean slates when you need to as well.
Follow these rules and you'll be a great example of what great netiquette should be. Enjoy the journey!
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