Module 4

The Netiquette and the

Computer Ethics
Recap:

What is NETIQUETTE?
Recap:

What is NETIQUETTE?
Network etiquette

It is the "correct" way to speak in an online setting

 What are the guidelines that will
improve our ability to communicate
with other people in the internet?
What are the guidelines that will improve
our ability to communicate with other people
in the internet?
REMEMBER THE GOLDEN RULE: Always assume that
you are speaking to a real person who will respond to
your message, even if you are engaging with a computer
screen.

AVOID SLANG, ACRONYMS, AND TEXT TALK: Clear

communication in academic and professional settings
demands the use of appropriate terminology, clear
spelling, and understandable syntax.
What are the guidelines that will
improve our ability to communicate
with other people in the internet?
AVOID “SCREAMING” IN TYPED MESSAGES –
"Screaming" is the practice of typing a whole message in
capital letters. In professional settings, it is often
discouraged since it is distracting. It is preferable to
emphasize certain words or phrases

PROOFREAD YOUR MESSAGES BEFORE SENDING

THEM – It's great practice to proofread messages before
sending them if you want to communicate effectively
and quickly.
What are the guidelines that will improve
our ability to communicate with other people
in the internet?
EXERCISE GOOD JUDGMENT WHEN SHARING
INFORMATION WITH OTHERS ONLINE – Email and
chat messages that you send or receive are private and
should not be transmitted to or copied by other parties
without the participants' agreement.

RESPECT DIVERSITY IN VIEWPOINTS – Be polite and

helpful while sharing your ideas, opinions, and
criticisms or responding to those of others in the
conversation.
Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
Rule 1
Remember the Human. Follow the Golden Rule while talking online, whether it be by email, instant
messaging, discussion posts, text messages, or some other channel. Keep in mind that actual people
who read your writing deserve courteous dialogue. Before clicking "send" or "submit," consider if you
would be satisfied with the content if it had been written by someone else.”.
Rule 2
Adhere to the same standards of behavior online Even while it might be claimed that norms of
conduct in the virtual world may differ from those in the actual world, they shouldn't be any lower.
When you are in "cyberspace," you should try to conduct yourself in a way that is consistent with the
morals and laws of the land. Generally speaking, no. You shouldn't act in this manner in the virtual world
either.
Rule 3
Know where you are in cyberspace According to Shea (1994), "Netiquette differs from domain to
domain." The same written communication could be permissible in one part of the virtual world but
unacceptable in another. What you send to a student or coworker might not be suitable for a text
message to a buddy. Do you have any other examples in mind?
Rule 4
Respect other people’s time and bandwidth. Time is required for electronic communication, both for
reading and for responding. Like you, the majority of people nowadays have busy lives and don't have
time to read or answer to pointless emails or discussion postings. You have a duty to make sure that the
time spent reading your words isn't squandered as a virtual world communicator. Avoid wasting space
on unnecessary text, graphics, or files that might take a long time to download by making your written
communication meaningful and to the point.
Rule 5
Make yourself look good online. You won't be judged by the caliber of your writing, so keep the
following guidelines in mind: Always check for spelling and grammar errors Know what you're talking
about and state it clearly Be pleasant and polite One of the best things about the virtual world is the
lack of judgment associated with your physical appearance, sound of your voice, or the clothes you wear
(unless you post a video of yourself singing Karaoke in a clown outfit).
Rule 6
Share expert knowledge. The simplicity with which information may be shared or accessed is one of
the numerous advantages the Internet provides its users. In fact, this "information sharing" feature is
one of the reasons it was created. Share what you know in the manner of the "founding fathers" of the
Internet! When someone asks a question and you get thoughtful responses, let other people know
about it. Are you an authority on anything? Post sources and references related to your topic. Have you
recently learned more about a topic that may be of interest to others? Also mention that.
Rule 7
Help keep flame wars under control. What do "flaming" and "flame battles" mean? When someone
expresses a strongly held position without suppressing their emotions, they are said to be "flaming"
(Shea, 1994). Consider the impassioned comments you would read on a sports site as an illustration. In
virtual communication, "flaming" is not strictly prohibited, but "flame wars," in which two or three
individuals exchange furious postings with one another, need to be monitored to prevent the group's
cohesiveness from being jeopardized. Don't fan the flames; douse them by steering the conversation
back in the direction of something more useful.
Rule 8
Respect other people’s privacy. Depending on what you are reading online, whether it be an email,
Facebook page, or online discussion board, you could be exposed to some sensitive material that should
be treated carefully. Perhaps someone is addressing a workplace issue or providing medical updates on
a loved one. Consider what may occur if this knowledge "came into the wrong hands." "Are you
embarrassed? Do you feel hurt? losing your job? You should respect other people's privacy just as you
would expect them to respect yours. When considering whether to talk about or not to talk about virtual
communication, be careful and be on the side of caution.
Rule 9
Don’t abuse your power. There are individuals in cyberspace who have more "power" than
others, just like there are in real-world settings. They are better knowledgeable about
technology or have years of experience in a certain field. Perhaps all of this power and
knowledge belongs to you! Just keep in mind that simply because you are more
knowledgeable or powerful than others does not give you the right to exploit others. Consider
Rule 1: Keep in mind the human.
Rule 10
Be forgiving of other people’s mistakes. Different people have different levels of experience
operating in the virtual world. Additionally, not everyone is familiar with netiquette
guidelines. You will come across foolish questions, extended responses, and misspelled
language at some time; when this occurs, treat the offender with love and forgiveness as you
would like to be treated yourself. You could wish to overlook it if the "offense" was mild. If you
feel the need to correct an error, do so privately by email rather than in a public forum.