Nothing seems to be left untouched by the pandemic, including emails. Standard salutations such as âbest wishesâ or âregardsâ were replaced by more personalised and sympathetic ones like âStay indoors and safeâ, âSincerely in these strange timesâ or, to infuse some humour, âSent from my living roomâ. The point is the general tenor of emails has become more considerate and genuine, especially considering how our tech-dependency has surged sizeably.
This opens up a discussion on internet behaviour or what is now being called ânetiquetteâ.
Netiquette refers to the principles and rules that dictate proper and respectful behavior on the internet. These norms of conduct are intended to ensure that internet communication is respectful, ethical and considerate.
A portmanteau of the internet and etiquette, it is a collection of guidelines to maintain a comfortable and efficient online environment. Netiquette, like traditional etiquette, works differently in different social scenarios.
Adhering to netiquette ensures a positive and effective online environment. But overarching ideas such as âbe kindâ or ârespect all peopleâ remain the same. In fact, report indicated that nearly 4.5 billion people worldwide are internet users, emphasizing the importance of these guidelines for maintaining respectful communication online. A Pew Research study revealed that 58% of teenagers have experienced online harassment or cyberbullying.
This behaviour could be prevented by following the ten rules of netiquette, according to Virginia Shea’s guide published by the Computer-Mediated Communication Magazine. Key elements of these rules include showing respect to other people’s time and bandwidth, refraining from inappropriate behavior, respecting other people’s privacy, and not abusing power. Adopting netiquette principles contributes to more respectful, considerate, and safer digital environments.
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Being mindful of netiquette promotes a positive online presence, enhances online relationships, and can help prevent conflicts or misunderstandings in the digital space.
The same works for sounds too. When you have many people living in your house, a schedule display works best. Everybody respects the othersâ video call timings and does little things, like not running the blender, to make lives easier.
- Respect the purpose of the group. Since a lot more of our lives are now online, it is important to separate the personal and the professional. Messages or forwards meant for friends are inappropriate in a workgroup. If the agenda of the group is specified, stick to it. Even if you are wishing a colleague for his/her birthday, make it a personal text rather than flooding the group.
- Adhering to a group’s rules or norms shows consideration for other membersâ opinions, interests and values, fostering a sense of community and cohesion. Violation of netiquette disrupts the group’s atmosphere and harmony, hence potentially hindering its objective, thus highlighting the significance of netiquette.
- Share consciously. The internet is not anonymous as you think it is. Nothing that goes online is truly private and will stay there for a long time. Keep that in mind before sharing anything personal or something that might be construed as offensive.
- Sharing consciously involves being aware of what you are posting or distributing online, ensuring it does not cause harm, spread misinformation or invade another person’s privacy. It encourages responsible and respectful online behavior which not only safeguards one’s digital footprint but also contributes positively to the digital world.
- Respect privacy. Just as you are concerned about yours, you need to respect othersâ privacy. Get permission before you screenshot or record an online live session.
- Formalities matter. While online spaces are considerably less formal than physical ones, it does not imply that you can address people casually. Adherence to formalities in any online session depends upon the people involved. Use appropriate titles and respectful addresses, until they allow you to address them casually. If you are linking your social media profiles to your professional email, ensure that your social media handles are work appropriate.
- Be prepared. This includes both mentally and physically. Sign in a few minutes before start time, keep your stationery handy to take notes, and present yourself well. If you are expected to turn on your video, be dressed appropriately. Run a test on your camera and mic and keep it ready.
- Time is an essential commodity. Working from home or studying from home does not mean that schedules no longer exist. Punctuality is an admirable quality and indicates respect. Join a meeting on time, submit projects by deadlines, and give yourself time goals to complete tasks.
- Be inclusive. Disagreeing with someone is acceptable. What matters is how you do it. Everyoneâs opinions carry the same value and deserve to be heard. Interrupting someone in the middle of their sentence is unparliamentary. When you find the topic going out of hand or becoming too one-sided, feel free to moderate and bring the discussion back on track.
- Practicing inclusivity in netiquette promotes a sense of belonging and acceptance among all participants, making them feel valued, respected, and heard. This builds positive relationships and fosters open, productive discussions and exchanges of ideas.
The internet and its anonymity equation have undergone a paradigm shift. It is as varied and diverse and has made our relationship with it more nuanced.
Prioritizing safety and inclusivity is not just about moral obligations or compliance with legal regulations, but it has been found to directly influence creativity, innovation, productivity, and employees’ loyalty towards an organization.
We lean on this medium quite heavily for both work and play, and the onus is on us to demarcate these two areas.
Online bullying and bad behaviour take a toll on our mental health, which is already fragile, reeling from the effects of the lockdown.
As the future progresses, it is predicted that workspaces focusing on safety and inclusivity will become a standard norm, leading to a more equal, respectful, and efficient corporate world.
Following some general guidelines that make us more empathetic will certainly help us all in creating safer and more inclusive workspaces.
Read: What is the Internet of Behaviours