Netiquette decoded: Discipline kids with proper internet etiquette

You may ask what netiquette is and why it is important. The online world refreshes the content every day, and in every moment, you can see newly published hashtags, pictures, videos, and stories. People start discussions and post comments under them in harmony. Netiquette promotes communication and prevents miscommunications. Only with etiquette in real life can we be decent people, and this world can run in perfect order. This applies netiquette to the online world.

This article will help you explore netiquette and how to set netiquette rules for your kids.

What is netiquette? Simple words to explain it

Netiquette is a compound word with “net” and “etiquette”. We all know that “net” here refers to the Internet or online environment, and “etiquette” is a set of customs and rules for proper behavior in social norms. So, we combine two together and get the definition of netiquette, which includes behavior norms and expression forms and self-presentation standards that are acceptable by social networks.

What are the rules of netiquette, and how can we behave properly online? We will explore the questions in the following text.

What is netiquette? Digital netiquette examples

Although netiquette is not a binding rule by law in most cases, we are not supposed to go against netiquette while chatting, posting, or sending. Netiquette is more like online moral ethics, making online activities in a methodical and acceptable manner. The following are some basic rules of netiquette to avoid damaging online relationships and experiences.

1. Respect privacy

How many kinds of privacy can you think of while surfing online? This kind of information may include, but is not limited to:

• Real Name
• Gender
• Age
• Location
• Religion
• Home Address
• Email Address
• Phone Number

Respect the privacy of others and yourself. When you use information containing privacy, like an email address, you should ask for the owner’s permission first. Many people don’t want their personal information sent to unknown people. Such conduct is an infringement on privacy. So, when you want to leave a digital footprint, no matter what it is-a story, a tweet, or something else-you’d better have second thoughts. We don’t want to trouble others, and we don’t want to trouble ourselves, either.

2. Check the spelling and grammar

Of course, in chat bubbles, young men form a new kind of expression with emojis, abbreviations, and initialism.

By the way, the young men don’t get used to adding a period at the end of the text in a chat bubble. It is gradually accepted by the Internet. Some abbreviations like “LOL“, “ASAP” and “AFAIK” are common in the network expressions, too. But we advise you to check spelling and grammar before posting a story or a comment. Because smooth reading can bring the best viewing experience.

Correct spelling and grammar will make the text look more orderly and avoid ambiguity. If you are not sure whether the spelling and grammar are right or not, you can run a check program.

3. Avoid disrespectful language

On social media apps and chat rooms, the words should be used properly. You should respect others like it in real life. Such conduct, including naming a name, cursing, and expressing extreme ideas, can ruin the atmosphere of the groups. We don’t want to meet a troll online, and we don’t want to be a troll ourselves. If we use disrespectful language, the chances are that these words can ignite others’ fury and hatred.

Some platforms have rolled out relative policies to blur these words or replace them with “XXX” or other emojis. If you use too many words, the platform may restrict your account or block it directly if the case is serious.

4. Careful read before ask

Before asking a question, you should carefully read the whole text to avoid missing some information. If you still have questions after reading, you can check the following FAQs on the bottom of page. By this information, your questions can be resolved, and no unrelated comments will be left to occupy the rooms of chatting.

5. Response promptly

We live in a world with faster paces than ever, and you will meet people from all over the world. They use different bandwidths, so the response time may be short or long. Or their channels are limited; they can only see text and images. The faster you respond to them, the faster you get their response. So, don’t postpone the response, or you and the recipient could miss the key information.

Why is netiquette important?

After reading the above examples, we can conclude that netiquette plays a key role in the following aspects:

• Maintaining order and harmony: By observing internet etiquette, people can respect each other, communicate with each other in a friendly manner on the Internet, and avoid maliciously disturbing, abusing, or attacking others, thus creating a favorable Internet environment.
• Promoting the development of the Internet: While observing netiquette, people are better able to share information, exchange ideas, participate in discussions, and cooperate. This helps to form a collaborative and win-win online community that promotes innovation and progress in various fields.
• Protecting personal privacy and security: On the Internet, people often need to provide personal information or conduct online transactions. Proper netiquette allows people to better protect their personal information as well as prevent becoming victims of online fraud, scams, fraudulent activities, and other deceptive activities.
• Build a good online image: What is said and done online is often seen and remembered by others, and a good online image can help an individual or organization build a good reputation and have a positive impact socially, at work, and in other areas.

Netiquette guidelines for your kids

Here are all the guidelines for your children, including the good netiquette you should teach your child and the resources to help you.

What is good netiquette for kids?

To understand and practice good netiquette, it is suggested that you start with your kids’ online activities. Most kids now start to get in touch with the Internet in their childhood. And childhood can be a key phrase for education and discipline. In general, good netiquette can help your child form good, healthy Internet habits and prevent being bullied or bullying others.

1. Don’t give out personal information

Don’t give out personal information to an online friend. Identity theft online is not a new word, and many kids and teens fall victim to it. The personal information includes passwords, email addresses, telephone numbers, etc. For the same reason, parents should teach their children that when they post something on the Internet, try to make names, locations, or other information invisible. It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of privacy online because the worst condition is that online predators could use kids’ information to harass, threaten, or even blackmail them.

2. Use a neutral nickname

When you create an account, the platform often requires a nickname or a surname, not a real name. This is actually a kind of protection mechanism. Using the real name will leak information to the cybermanhunt.

A name should not be offensive, or it will leave a bad first impression on other users. It is supposed to be a neutral one. Sexually suggestive words, filthy languages, and strong words are not supposed to show up in your kids’ online nicknames.

Not only name, you should not use some aggressive or uncomfortable images as personal profile icons.

Due to children’s weakness in protecting personal information, we should know which platform our children register on and guide them to use a neutral nickname.

3. Only trust the person met in the real life

The definition of online trolls refers to a person who posts inflammatory, digressive, or false information in an online group. They seem to be the bane of the Internet, but they can be avoided. You should not let these bad guys ruin your kids’ lives.

Teach your child to inform parents and how to deal with online trolls. For these malicious people, the platform should have block and report features. When your child encounters a troll with bad intentions, he can block them and report the deeds, better with evidence like chat history, screenshots, and comments.

4. Respect others and be forgiving

People all over the world have their own cultures, religions, thinking patterns, taboos, and so on. That’s why this world is so different and colorful in every corner. The network communities connect everyone together to share stories happening at every moment. If we don’t learn to respect each other and forgive others’ honest mistakes, the online world will be in chaos, rather than a peaceful one.

Everyone has the right to love or hate someone or something, and your children are no exception. Teach them to collect the content they like, or they can choose to dislike or unfollow a person or a post. They can dislike a story, but that doesn’t mean they should leave offensive comments under it. Meanwhile, tell your children to avoid having words with someone online.

For fear that your kids may offend someone, teach them to avoid using some teen slang words like “Karen”, “Boujee”, or “FML.” Don’t take it for granted and let them follow your bad example. Once they form the bad habit of using uncivilized words without awareness, they will find it hard to correct it.

5. Avoid excessively devoting on the Internet

Excessive screen time could cause both physical and mental problems. Online addiction, game addiction, and social media addiction are words usually seen and heard now. Kids and teens are the majority of victims. Negatively, they gradually withdraw from friends and family in the real world and become immersive in the virtual world.

This could cause fatigue, myopia, and insufficient sleep. In the long run, these problems will affect the overall physical fitness of a child.

Parents must resolve to control their kids’ screen time. You can set time limits on your iPhone, iPad, Windows, Mac, and other devices. By the same token, you can open parental controls on apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp.

6. Avoid online trolls

The definition of online trolls refers to a person who posts inflammatory, digressive, or false information in an online group. They seem to be the bane of Internet but can be avoidable. You should not let these bad guys ruin your kids’ life.

Teach your child to inform parents and how to deal with online trolls. For these malicious people, the platform should have Block and Report options. When your child encounters a troll with bad intention, he can block them and report the deeds, better with evidence like chat history, screenshots, and comments.

How do you explain netiquette to a child?

The first thing you need to do is trust your children. Not like adults, they are more innocent and purer. They can learn best through their parents and themselves. Undoubtedly, open communication is the best way to teach netiquette to your child. You should explain to your children that netiquette is like etiquette in real life. It smooths communication, shows respect, and prevents scams and misunderstandings. After communication, your practice is equally important to education. The following text will show the strategies to do it.

How to set netiquette rules for kids?

Family, schools, and communities are the majority of a child’s life. When you want to find methods to teach your kids netiquette and let them grasp some useful tech skills, you can do this in three aspects.

1. Local school and community lessons

Some schools and local communities will offer online safety lessons for kids and teens. In these lessons, children can gain some knowledge about online safety. At the same time, teachers will teach them how to protect themselves from cyberbullying and online predators.

If your kids’ school and local community don’t launch such a lesson, don’t worry. You can still find some educational resources in the Internet community. For instance, Reddit has plenty of posts, comments, communities, and people talking about netiquette. Among them, you can find the basic rules of netiquette and parents with the same problems.

PTA (Parent Teacher Association) and Homeschool World are two communities providing practical resources for family and school. You can search for help from the professors online.

2. Set an example by yourself

Parents are the most influential ones in children’s lives, as the old saying goes: “Like father, like son.” Sometimes, we are swayed by emotions and post some sarcastic and cynical comments online. Similarly, we just shed obscenities in front of our kids. That’s a serious mistake, and children will imitate our bad examples. So, if you want to teach your kids netiquette, remember that words and deeds are equally important.

3. Online tools

Some platforms have rolled out kids mode or parental controls for protecting the underage. For example, YouTube has an independent version, YouTube Kids for Preschool (Age 4 and under), Younger (Age 5-7), and Older (Age 9–12). A diversity of educational and entertainment resources are shown on YouTube Kids, of course, with netiquette lessons.

Social media apps and live streaming platforms can be the hardest-hit areas for online safety. So, Discord, Instagram, and WhatsApp rolled out their own parental control features like time limits, kids’ mode, and content filtering.

Besides, game platforms like Steam and Epic have launched parental controls. They have so many features to help you manage the online conduct of kids. For instance, you can create an account in Epic with age ratings and purchase limits, and Epic will send you an email every week to report your children’s game time on Fortnite.

Another powerful tool online is parental control apps like FlashGet Kids, Bark, and MMGuardian. They often have live monitoring of screen time, online activities, and app usage. By all means, parents can customize the setting to regulate kids’ schedules and form good netiquette.

Final words

After reading, you must have a clear understanding of netiquette. We hope you can teach your child netiquette well at an early age. When they do well in netiquette, information-sharing, social interaction, and online safety, there are no more problems for them.

At last, we hope you can learn to use parental controls like FlashGet Kids to help to kids form good netiquette and build the great network behavior regulation.

FAQs about Internet netiquette