The document discusses guidelines for proper etiquette, or "netiquette", when communicating online. It defines netiquette as a set of rules for respecting others' privacy and not annoying or hurting others. Some key guidelines covered include being polite, using appropriate language, not using all capital letters, making a good impression, being selective about sharing personal information, obeying copyright laws, and avoiding spamming or flaming others. The document stresses that people's words and actions online contribute to their digital footprint and representation of themselves on the internet.

1. Civil discourse and netiquette: Student handout
A curriculum for critical thinking and web research
Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
School level: Middle school (11–13 years old)
High school (14–18 years old)
Netiquette
Definition: Netiquette - rules used on Internet: A set of rules for communication via
the Internet (informal).
Netiquette refers to etiquette on the Internet. Netiquette involves respecting others’
privacy and not doing anything online that will annoy, frustrate, or hurt others.
Three areas where good netiquette is highly stressed are email, online chat sessions,
and newsgroups.
Netiquette guidelines:
♦ Do unto others as you’d have others do unto you.
♦ Be polite and courteous at all times.
◊ Remember that you are communicating with a human being who has thoughts
and feelings just like you do. Always think of the person on the receiving end of
your messages.
♦ Be clear.
◊ Use the subject line (email) or title (webpage) to reflect your content or subject
matter.
♦ Use appropriate language.
◊ If you sense that you may be feeling overly emotional, don’t send the message.
Save it, and review it later.
◊ Remember: No one can guess your mood or see your facial expressions. They
only have your words.
♦ Don’t use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. It’s viewed as shouting or screaming. If you
need to emphasize a word, use asterisks, like *this*, or lines, like _this_.
♦ Make a good impression.
◊ Your words and content represent you. Be sure to review and edit your words
and images before sending.
♦ Be selective with information.
◊ Information on the Internet is very public and can seen by anyone in the world,
including criminals, future employers, school personnel, and governments.

2. Netiquette guidelines (continued)
♦ Remember that you are not anonymous.
◊ What you write in an email and on a website can be traced back to you.
♦ Consider others.
◊ If you are upset by what you read or see on the Internet, forgive bad spelling
or stupidity.
◊ However, if you think it violates the law, forward it to the FBI or to your state’s
attorney general.
♦ Obey copyright laws.
◊ Don’t use others’ images or content without permission.
◊ Don’t forward emails or use website content without permission.
♦ Cite others’ work, if you use it.
◊ Use distribution lists appropriately.
◊ Obtain permission before sharing anyone’s email address with others.
♦ Do not send SPAM.
◊ SPAM is posting or emailing unsolicited email, often advertising messages, to a
wide audience. (It could also be described as electronic junk mail.)
♦ Do not forward chain letters.
◊ If you receive one, notify your webmaster.
♦ Do not respond to flames or personal attacks.
◊ Contact your webmaster for action and referral.
♦ Do not send rude or offensive emails or postings. It’s bad manners and can get
seriously out of hand (sometimes known as flame wars).
♦ Be aware of your digital footprint.
◊ All of the above-mentioned guidelines contribute to your digital footprint.
Everything that you view, write, buy, or post is part of your digital footprint.
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