If you’ve been on the internet long enough, chances are you’ve seen more than your fair share of spamming and trolling. The fact is that, just like in the real world, not everyone behaves in a way that’s acceptable and respectful. There are many ways in which an internet user can fail to demonstrate internet etiquette, otherwise known as netiquette. Writing in all capitals, failing to use punctuation, or simply outright plagiarising content are just a few infractions.
As we’re already well aware, not everyone adheres to or even is aware of netiquette. In fact, many people behave much worse online than they do in reality, all because they feel that the internet gives them a layer of anonymity to hide behind. Yet from forums to social media platforms, using proper netiquette helps make the internet a safer and all-around nicer place to be. Below, we guide you through everything you need to know about netiquette.
What is Netiquette?
Netiquette, or internet etiquette, refers to a set of informal rules for the appropriate way to behave and communicate online. Just as most of us follow certain manners in face-to-face settings, netiquette guides us toward more positive and appropriate online exchanges.
The use of netiquette extends across all forms of online communication, including emails, social media comments, video calls, and forums. Whether you’re interacting with friends and family on Facebook or chatting with coworkers on Slack, netiquette helps shape how others see you as well as how your messages are received.
Netiquette is very much about being mindful and respectful of others. It encourages qualities such as clarity, empathy, and patience. All of these traits are particularly valuable in a space that can be impersonal, as body language and tone can be lost or misinterpreted. The practice of good netiquette helps avoid misunderstandings and potential conflict, and promotes a healthier, happier internet – and who doesn’t want that?
A brief history of netiquette
The origins of netiquette trace back to the very early days of the Internet. Nowadays, we have the option of keeping in touch via video calls and voice notes, but back then, online communication was primarily text-based. As email lists, bulletin board systems (BBS), and platforms like Usenet emerged during the 1980s and early 1990s, it became increasingly clear that common guidelines were needed to maintain civil and productive discussions.
In the absence of face-to-face social cues, there were early efforts to introduce internet etiquette. These came in the form of documents, such as RFC 1855. Published in 1995 by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a standards organization for the internet, the document titled “Netiquette Guidelines” offered best practices for email, mailing lists, and newsgroups, all of which were the primary ways to communicate online at the time.
In the very early days of the internet, online communication was mostly the domain of tech-savvy users in academic or computing circles. However, as the internet became more mainstream for students, professionals, and the general public, understanding and practicing netiquette became essential for everyone. As the internet grew throughout the 2000s, introducing new ways to communicate, such as instant messaging, forums, blogs, and social media, netiquette has had to evolve alongside it.
The birth of platforms like AOL, MSN Messenger, MySpace, and later Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter helped make internet interaction a part of everyday life.
Core principles of Netiquette
Though the internet is as varied as it is vast, the core principles of netiquette remain the same across platforms, serving as a foundation for effective and respectful communication:
1. Be respectful
A good rule to follow is to treat others online as you would in person. Respect the opinions of others. Even in the most hotly-contested online discussions, it’s important to avoid insults, aggressive language, and sarcasm.
2. Think before you post
Unless you’re in a video call, the advantage of the internet is that we often have more time to consider our reactions than we would face-to-face. We can stop and ask ourselves if what we’re replying could be considered hurtful. This reduces impulsive, emotionally-charged responses.
3. Watch your tone
One of the difficulties with text-based online interactions is the lack of body language and vocal cues. Without them, our tone can be easily misinterpreted. What sounds like a joke to one person may come across as rude or dismissive to another, making clear language all the more important.
4. Avoid typing in all caps
Using all caps when typing online is generally interpreted as shouting, which, of course, can come across as aggressive and hostile. It’s best to stick to standard capitalization for improved readability and tone. All caps should only be used sparingly, such as with acronyms.
5. Use proper grammar and spelling
Informal chats between friends don’t always require perfect grammar and spelling but of course should be encouraged in professional and public settings. The aim is readability by avoiding excessive slang, abbreviations, and typos.
6. Don’t spam
Nobody likes spam. It’s annoying and clutters otherwise tidy spaces on the internet. As such, internet users should avoid sending too many messages in a row and repeatedly promoting their own content. This helps keep discussions relevant to the topic at hand.
7. Respect people’s time and attention
There’s a fine balance to be found when it comes to message length. Although you should try to keep messages concise and relevant, one-word messages aren’t exactly meaningful contributions either. Creating clear subject lines is also a way to respect the time and attention of others.
8. Give credit where it’s due
Sadly, it has become almost common practice for internet users today to share information, ideas, and even media that isn’t theirs without giving proper credit. From quoting someone to using an image, acknowledging others shows respect for intellectual property. Not to mention it saves any potential legal trouble further down the line!
9. Protect privacy
Leaking or oversharing information, whether accidentally or intentionally, can have serious consequences, including identity theft, harassment, and reputational damage. As such, you shouldn’t share another person’s data without their consent, and be cautious with your own.
10. Be forgiving of mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes, be it a typo in a chat message or misreading an email. Although the instinct may be to call out an error, this can be too harsh. A little patience can often go a long way in maintaining a more positive online environment.
Examples of good and bad netiquette
Understanding netiquette is that much easier when we look at real-world examples of how people interact online. Below are some common situations with contrasting examples of good and bad online behavior or netiquette:
Subject: Request for update on Project X
“Hi John, I hope you’re well. I just wanted to check in on the status of Project X. Please let me know if you need anything from me.”
Subject: Update???
“Why haven’t you replied? I need an answer NOW.”
Online forums or comment sections
“Thanks for the insightful post! I hadn’t considered it from that perspective. What do you think about…”
“This is stupid. You clearly have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Social media
“Interesting take on remote work! I’ve had a similar experience. Curious to hear other people’s takes too.”
“Only an idiot would think this is a good idea.”
Instant messaging
“Hey Alex, just a quick head’s up that I’ve noticed an error in the spreadsheet.”
“Check the sheet. It’s all messed up again.”
Video calls and virtual meetings
Logging in on time, muting your mic when not speaking, and staying engaged.
Joining late without explanation, leaving your mic on with background noise, talking over others, and not paying attention during the meeting.
Group chats or communities
Welcoming new members to the group, staying on topic, communicating using clear language, and avoiding spamming.
Hijacking conversations, spamming with links, and being overly negative, as well as using confusing phrasing or all caps.
Why Netiquette matters
With an increasing portion of our work, learning, and communication taking place online, the way in which we interact with others is just as important as what we’re actually saying. Netiquette plays a key role in shaping our interactions with others. This can be anything from an email to a colleague to a comment on social media. Here’s why netiquette matters:
1. It prevents miscommunication
The trouble with text-based internet communications is that they lack key social cues such as tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. As such, what we write can easily be misunderstood. Netiquette encourages clarity as well as tone awareness that helps avoid unnecessary confusion and conflict.
2. It promotes respectful communities
Regardless of whether you’re interacting in a forum or a group chat, these online spaces work best when participants treat each other with courtesy, even when they disagree on a subject. Following the guidelines of netiquette helps maintain a respectful atmosphere and discourages disruptive behaviors, be it personal attacks or trolling.
3. It reflects on your reputation
How you communicate online dictates how others see you. This can be a mix of things such as your tone, grammar, responsiveness, and, of course, your overall behavior. All of your online interactions shape your personal or professional brand. Using overly casual language in a work email or failing to include phrases like “please” and “thank you” can appear careless and unprofessional.
4. It supports digital inclusion
Not everyone who uses the internet has the same level of online experience. Furthermore, language fluency and overall comfort with online communication can vary from person to person. Netiquette plays a role in making online communities accessible and welcoming to all. This may involve using clear language and avoiding sarcasm, which can be challenging to translate.
5. It helps maintain safe and functional online spaces
Online platforms, whether they are classrooms, workplace tools, forums, or social networks, rely on basic behavioral norms and mutual respect to function effectively. Following netiquette reduces spam, avoids flame wars, and minimizes disruptive behavior that can derail discussions. In contrast, poor netiquette, such as making personal attacks, contributes to toxic environments and the breakdown of online communities.
Netiquette FAQs
Is netiquette still relevant today?
With an increasing number of people spending more time online, netiquette is more relevant than ever. Between instant messaging, emojis, and memes, online communication has indeed become more casual. However, the beauty of netiquette is that it can adapt to new formats because the underlying principles, such as respecting others and thinking before posting, remain unchanged.
What are the consequences of ignoring netiquette?
What’s very clear is that if netiquette is ignored, the result is poor netiquette. Depending on where this takes place, this may be largely tolerated. After all, Twitter (or “X”) is rife with petty arguments, bots, and spam. Failing to adhere to netiquette can lead to misunderstandings, damaged relationships, and being blocked or banned from online platforms. After all, how you behave online can become part of your online reputation.
What are some examples of netiquette?
Netiquette, or internet etiquette simply refers to respectful and considerate behavior online. So examples of netiquette would be using clear and polite language in emails, avoiding all caps which can be seen as shouting and therefore overly aggressive, and not spamming group chats. In contrast, poor netiquette would be doing the opposite of these things and therefore fostering negative and unproductive interactions. Good netiquette makes the internet more welcoming.
