-WHAT RULES?

-WHAT RULES?

                          The freedom of a person ends where the freedom of another person starts (c).

     As we are in internet space, which connects people all over the world, we have a power to influence each other. It is no longer necessary to leave the house or show your face to the person you are talking to. The same is when you are reading these words without me even knowing it. Internet communication tends to be closer to the real life situation - we are practically living our lives here, but it is still an absolutely different thing. There is a screen, not a person we see and it gives us a kind of protection. And that's why people abuse their power, letting themselves do things online they can not do face-to-face. But let’s remember we are the same humans, not anonymous robots. Our actions are real and we should take responsibility for them.
   This is why I suppose it won’t be useless to establish a set of Netiquette rules. Although for me they are a matter of morality and polite people won’t need them to behave promptly, let’s make sure we don’t forget ourselves.

    

Netiquette says:

Respect people’s privacy

It means a lot of different things, as posting other people's private content or sharing links to their blogs. If you are given access to something it doesn't mean you can give it to someone else. Although nowadays it is easier to find and share different information, we still have personal boundaries here!

Verify facts, check grammar and spelling

It is not only about effect you produce, but also about respect. Definitely your readers don't want to be misled and it is not a great pleasure to read grammatically incorrect text. Offline communication does not give your an opportunity to google things and be certain about every word you use, but you can do it communicating online! 

Don’t use other people’s content as your own

Stealing other people’s content or pretending to be someone else is even more miserable now than it was before. Firstly, every secret is short-lived and secondly, today it is definitely more valuable to create unique content.

Don’t start or continue an argument

It is impossible to avoid arguments in general. We all have emotions, it happens. But arguments are irrational, try to control yourself and if someone is trying to start an argument, don’t pay back, be wiser.

Don’t express offensive opinions

Criticism is a very helpful thing, but only if it is expressed in polite form and the person is open to it. Nowadays people are too free to express their unwanted opinions. Remember, others can survive without your point of view. Be more mindful about what you are writing, think first is it appropriate enough to be sent.

      These rules are just bare necessities, which I found extremely important. Frankly speaking, I think all these points can be included in the term 'politeness' . It can also be 'respect', but respect is a more complicated thing, which requires more than self-control and mindfulness. Anyway, it is up to you to decide whether you follow or rebel. But remember, internet can be unsafe place for you too.