Proper digital etiquette includes a wide range of manners that you should use while online or when you are using technology. With the rapid development of social networking sites and "chat rooms" lately, knowing the appropriate courtesies while online has never been more important. A key rule is to never post a picture of someone or their information in an online public environment, or anywhere else for that matter, without their permission. Without consent, you are not entitled to sharing anyone else's private information or pictures of them. In addition, you should not post any personal information about yourself in a public online environment. Last but not least, the most important rule of digital etiquette is to treat others the way you want to treated- except online. Being kind online is just as important as it is in person. The list of rules to abide by in order to be a proper digital citizen are endless; these three are not a summary of all of them. If you would like to muse some more, then you can visit this web page.
In my opinion, meanness is intentionally being rude, spiteful, or unkind towards others. Saying the less-than-friendly thoughts you have about someone else would be considered meanness. In every situation, these thoughts should be kept to yourself because no one likes a bully, and you won't like becoming one. It is human to think negative thoughts about others, but it is not acceptable to put these unnecessary comments out into the world. Meanness comes in many shapes are forms, and frequently, it goes unrecognized. Commenting on someone's appearance just to point out a flaw is a common sight in this day and age. Image-obsessed citizens may point out someone else's flaws online or in person to make their own less noticeable. In addition, calling people names or treating others in a derogatory manner is considered meanness. Meanness is often shown on social networking sites or chat groups since many of the users go out of their way to express what they feel is justified by the Constitution: freedom of speech. However, many people do not realize when their opinions are out of line and out of context. In most cases, expressing one's opinions about a certain topic or a person will offend someone. After all, "It is not best that we should all think alike; it is a difference of opinion that makes horse races." Not every person will hold the same opinion, therefore it is vital to be cautious while expressing your own, especially in an online environment. Simply stating your viewpoint is justifiable, but criticizing other viewpoints and their supporters will only end in an unfavorable conflict. Offending can often turn into meanness when you feel the strong-minded need to stand up for what you believe in, by whatever means. Strong feelings are regularly the cause of online meanness since it is much easier to state your opinion in a chat room than in person. To prevent online cruelty, you can either keep your comments to yourself or censor your comments with extreme caution. It is normally tolerable to bear varying opinions; however, the manner of which you express them can be the difference between frank independence and online meanness.
Cyber-bullying is defined as one person or multiple people tormenting, harassing, threatening, or embarrassing someone else using the Internet or other technologies. Cyber-bullying can be an extension of face-to-face bullying, as it gives the bully another way to harass their target. Cyber-bullying is often misinterpreted. What the sender thinks is a joke may be hurtful to someone else. This form of bullying is very dangerous because you cannot see the effect your words have on someone; instead, you can hide behind a computer screen. There are some laws to prevent cyber-bullying, but not as many as there ought to be since in most cases, there is no physical damage or in-person communications. Some terms of harassment, threats, and menacing communications will be seen as a criminal offense.
In every cyber-bullying situation, there are normally four positions that you can be in. They are the bully, the victim, the bystander, and the upstander. The bully and the victim have straightforward meanings, but the latter two positions are often misunderstood. A bystander is a person who sees bullying occurring, whether online or in person, and does not do anything to help or hinder the situation. You are a bystander in a situation if you view hurtful messages being sent to someone and you ignore it. On the other hand, an upstander is a person who stands up for something and what they think is right. Particularly in a cyber-bullying incident, they stand up for the victim, and understand when a wrong has been done. You can be an upstander if you help victims of bullying, learn more about the situation, include an adult, or stop untrue messages from spreading. There are many things that you can do to improve the situation or get yourself more informed. Some other ways in which you can become an upstander are accessing the situation to determine is someone is being bullied by observing others' reactions and pinpointing the bully and the victim. Then, you can determine whether interfering could put you or others at risk. It is up to you whether you want to say something to the bully or the victim, but you should only try to help the victim or stop the bully if you do. If you don't say anything, or even if you do say something and don't believe it had an effect, then you can take action by telling a teacher, parent, or getting others to stand up with you. It is always better to be an upstander; how would you feel if you were bullied and no one helped you?
I think the best solution to stopping online meanness and cyber-bullying is to have parents monitor their child's online usage. It is a good idea for parents to know the sites that their children or teen visit, encourage the child to confide in them if they or someone that they know is being bullied online, and enforce rules of what they can say and do online. Children and teens are the most common victims of cyber-bullying, therefore it is important to check up on how they are using the Internet. Furthermore, parents should teach their children digital etiquette at a young age so the rules of the web are in their mind from the very beginning.
In conclusion, the lack of proper digital etiquette is a main cause of cyber-bullying and online meanness. It is imperative that every digital citizen in this day and age know the rules and their consequences to the Internet world. If digital etiquette continues on as an unnecessary precaution while online, then myself and my peers will suffer. The Internet is meant to be a positive environment, but the mass number of young adults who choose to use it in a derogatory manner are forcing it to deteriorate. So before you log on to the digital world, make sure you're familiar with how your digital etiquette can affect other Internet users and yourself.
Pictures are courtesy of Google Images.
In conclusion, the lack of proper digital etiquette is a main cause of cyber-bullying and online meanness. It is imperative that every digital citizen in this day and age know the rules and their consequences to the Internet world. If digital etiquette continues on as an unnecessary precaution while online, then myself and my peers will suffer. The Internet is meant to be a positive environment, but the mass number of young adults who choose to use it in a derogatory manner are forcing it to deteriorate. So before you log on to the digital world, make sure you're familiar with how your digital etiquette can affect other Internet users and yourself.
Pictures are courtesy of Google Images.
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