2.
We are all more than clear
about what constitutes
good and bad behaviour
offline. Well the fact of the
matter is, the rules online
are exactly the same as
they are offline.
Just as you should, be
polite and respectable to
everyone you meet offline,
so should you online.
3.
Online communication is every
bit as powerful and relevant as
offline communication. The
golden rule is:
If you wouldn’t walk down the
street wearing a t-shirt that says
it, then don’t say it online.
It is a lot easier to write our
opinions online, as we feel more
anonymous and don’t have to
look at the person who the
comments are directed at.
4.
The previous point extends
to all forms of online
communication, including
ones that pupils may
consider private such as
email, instant messaging
or texting.
These forms of
communication are not
truly private and should not
be treated as such.
5.
Sending a private
message containing
anything personal
might seem like a good
idea in the short term,
but you never know
who else may see the
message or have it
forwarded to them.
6.
Inevitably, we’ll all bump
into situations online from
time to time that make us
angry and it can be
tempting to vent our anger
online – but it’s a bad idea.
Instead, wait 24 hours and
if you still feel angry then
make a considered
response. Or, report it to
someone such as a
teacher or parent and seek
their advice.
7.
The use of ALL
CAPS comes across
like shouting online.
In most situations
you wouldn’t do it
offline, so don’t do
it online either – it
looks rude!
8.
Furthermore, think more
generally about how you
are coming across online.
It’s perfectly acceptable to
use abbreviations and
acronyms online, but be
sure that you are
communicating effectively.
Also, spelling mistakes and
poor grammar should be
avoided where possible as
this makes it more difficult
to understand the point
you are trying to convey.
9.
When we joke around with
our friends offline there
are a lot of humour cues
which are conveyed
through our body language
and tone of voice.
These elements are
entirely missing online, so
you need to think extra
carefully about the
different ways in which
what you are saying could
be interpreted.
10.
In particular, sarcasm can
come across as very rude
rather than humorous
online. Of course, it is fine
to inject some humour into
your online
communications but just
make sure that there is no
room for ambiguity, this
may mean spelling out the
joke.
For example, on Twitter
writing #Joke.
11.
Always think carefully
before sharing
information about
other people online.
Are you sharing
information that they
would be happy to have
broadcast? If in doubt,
ask them.
12.
Arguably the most
important point, you must
be careful when sharing
personal information
online. Generally, only
share contact details with
users that you know
offline. Sharing too much
personal information
online can (as we learnt
last lesson) make students
a target for online
criminals or cyber bullies.
