Kids Email Blog

Teaching Internet Etiquette

“Say please.”

“Say thank you.”

“Cover your mouth.”

“Be nice.”

“Treat others how you’d like to be treated.”

“Use your manners.”

Most every parent has had to correct their kids in one way or another in regards to manners and how to treat others.  There is a certain underlying etiquette in our society when it comes to manners and behaviors when around others.  We have moved on from caveman ways and have adapted a modern approach to dealing with others…well, most of us anyway.

But, when it comes to the internet, we still have caveman tendencies.  Technology has  moved above and beyond what, I personally, ever thought possible.  Just 10 years ago there was no way I’d ever thought I could watch movies on a phone, have my kids download game apps, and connect with old friends via social networking.  With the rapid rise of these amazing abilities and with all of the forums, boards, and FaceBook hype that surround us, manners  have gone out the window.  Internet bullying has become extreme.  Our internet manners and etiquette haven’t quite caught up to our technological advances and parents need to stay ahead of the game.  It is our responsibility to teach our kids that their internet life will follow them in real life and there are certain do’s and don’ts.   So, here are some “netiquette” (internet etiquette) suggestions.

• When a website has a list of rules, obey those rules.  There is a reason the rules are in place.  Obeying the rules and regulations gives those visiting the most out of the website. Plus, not adhering to the rules can put your use of that site at risk.

• Spell check anything written.

• Do not use all caps.  This indicates shouting.

• Honesty is the best policy, both IRL and online.

• Never ever give out personal information online.  There should never be a good enough reason to do so.

• Don’t send texts or emails late at night.  It can wait until the next day, especially if its not an emergency.

• Only shop on sites that are secure.

• When posting pictures, make sure its nothing that will haunt you for the rest of your life.  Everything that is posted online DOES NOT DIE WHEN IT GETS DELETED.

• Just be yourself.  If you wouldn’t say it to someones face, just don’t say it at all.  Your online reputation is just as important as IRL.

• The Golden Rule applies online too.  If you wouldn’t want it done to you, don’t do it to someone else.

• Always re read everything before posting, and if it violates any rule, don’t post it.

As parents, we need to realize that our online persona may as well be our “in real life” persona.  If they aren’t one in the same already, they will be very soon.  It doesn’t take much to Google a name and see what kind of information we can gather from anyone.  We need to teach our kids that their life is out there for all to see, deleting does not make it disappear, and what kind of person do we want to be online?  Is it what we are really?  Would a college or future employer find us honest and credible?

Netiquette is now a part of raising kids.  We need to raise a generation of internet respectable kids and make this thing called technology safe and enjoyable for all of us to use.

Add comment April 8, 2013