Netiquette - How to Behave on the Internet

People generally know how to behave in most situations because they have been told repeatedly throughout the course of their lives. However, rudeness is running rampant on the internet because online etiquette doesn't have a firm set of rules. When talking online, following the suggestions below will make for an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Sometimes, plans are made to meet a friend online at a certain time to chat or play a game. The same courtesy rules apply as if you were meeting in person. For example, you should sign onto the internet at the agreed on time. If you cannot make it at all, then you should e-mail or call the person so they aren't left sitting there waiting for you.

If you were talking to someone on the phone, you would tell them to hold on if you had to lay it down for a moment. On the same note, you shouldn't wander from the computer without saying that you'll be right back. If you're going to be a while, perhaps longer than ten minutes, say so.

In person, you wouldn't scream at someone for no reason. Imagine how badly that would reflect on you. Using all capital letters on the internet is considered screaming and shouldn't be done unless rudeness is the goal.

Don't make up your own abbreviations in an effort to type less. People aren't mind readers and probably won't know what you're trying to say. Only use abbreviations that everyone else uses. Also, be careful of talking in choppy sentences. It is very frustrating having to continually ask someone what they meant.

Always respect other's privacy, do not send multi-recipient e-mails. A multi-recipient e-mail is where someone sends an e-mail to more than one person--meaning everyone who received the e-mail can see everyone else's e-mail address. While you may not see the harm, that doesn't make it all right. Sometimes the people who received the e-mail will contact each other with the intent of all of them being friends. By giving out someone else's e-mail address, you are putting them into the awkward position of having to say that they aren't interested and that they want to be left alone. Speaking of privacy, you shouldn't have someone else reading over your shoulder when you are checking your e-mail. There is an expectation of privacy when someone e-mails you. It would be like having someone eavesdropping on a telephone conversation, which is concerned rude.

While on the topic of e-mail... It is very annoying when someone forwards every joke, chain letter, etc. that they receive. Most people do not appreciate being sent this type of spam. And if you're a business that collects e-mail addresses, your customers and clients shouldn't have to tell you that it's inappropriate. After all, they didn't give you their e-mail address for that reason.

Be considerate of the people that you talk to on an instant messenger. If you're using a light font on a light background, it's hard for someone to see that. And an extremely small font is also difficult to read. A large font can also be a pain to someone because they may have to scroll to read everything you send if their window isn't maximized.

When in a chat room, appropriate behavior is necessary if you want anyone to talk to you. Some chat rooms meant for adults require your age, sex, and location upon entry into the room. Not because anyone wants to hit on you, but because they want to know that you aren't a child. It really depends on the chat room as they are all different.

If you go into a chat room about a specific topic, then you shouldn't go in there with the intention of talking about something completely off topic. It is frustrating for the people in a chat room to try to have a conversation while someone else is constantly trying to change to something completely off topic. If you cannot find a chat room that is about what you wish to discuss, you can always open your own.

There are some chat rooms that frown on certain behaviors such as private messaging other chatters in the room. This is partly because in some chat room the private message comes up in the person's instant messenger. AOL's chat room used to be like this. Some chat rooms are so strict, that if you break their rules they will kick you out or ban you from the chat room. If you really want to chat there, make sure you know the rules. In some chat rooms, the rules come up as you enter the room.

If you're ever in doubt of what to do online, just try to apply the manners that you use in everyday life.