An amalgamation of the words net and etiquette, netiquette, refers to the acceptable way of communicating on the internet. A virtual code of conduct for being appropriate and respectable when engaging with others online, to some, this comes naturally, but others must learn it the hard way.
As your tweens and teens further explore the world wide web, it is important to start them out on the right foot.
There’s another person on the other side of the screen
If you can only impress upon your teen one thing to remember when communicating online, let it be a reminder that they are interacting with other people – with thoughts and feelings just like them. Due to the inherently elevated level of anonymity that exists online, it’s easy to be less empathetic than you would be when speaking with someone face to face. So, encourage your teens to put themselves in front of other’s keyboards.
Do your research
By now, we’ve all heard it. ‘Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.’ Remember that children are impressionable, and teenagers, who are trying to figure out who they are and their place in this world, are often even more so. It is always important to urge them to gather information from multiple, reliable sources before accepting something as truth. Remind them, if it sounds questionable, they should question it.
Respect the privacy of others
Though the parameters may be a bit different, being respectful is no less important when online. Just because someone posts something online, it does not mean that they want everyone to see it. Please remind your teen to respect the privacy of others by checking with the original poster before sharing it anywhere else online. Likewise, spreading some information offline should also be discouraged.
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The internet is forever
This is one lesson that your teen will thank you for later in their life. Things said, pictures posted, etc., have a way of sticking around online for a lot longer than the may think. So, remind your child to carefully consider what they type, especially when emotions are high, and what they upload. This is called your digital footprint – something your teenager needs to be aware of. Even if they think they’ve posted something privately, it only takes one person to disrespect your privacy by copying, clipping or altering your content and then reposting it in a public location.
The real world doesn’t cease to exist when you’re online
It may seem to your teens that when they are online, they are in a different reality. However, conversations, arguments, secrets shared and pictures exchanged can have real world consequences. Friendships, relationships and reputations can all be damaged by actions taken online. Additionally, encourage your children to balance real-world socialization with their online socialization. It may sound silly to hear your child say they ‘forgot how to speak to people’, but it can be a very real thing.
Building trust
It is impossible to keep track of everything your teen sees online, so it is important to trust that they will make the right decisions. It is a two-way street. You want to be able to trust them, and they want to be trusted. This is best accomplished by keeping clear, open lines of communication with them. Don’t give them a reason to hide things from you. Talk to them about their online usage. Be engaged, be informed. Even the illusion of you knowing what they’re talking about may keep them on the straight and narrow.
And remember, your teen learns best through their own experiences. At this age, it is important to give them freedom, but you can still impress upon them how you expect them to act online. With your guidance, and these basic tenets of netiquette, your teen can more effectively engage with what the internet has to offer.
