It's easy to be misunderstood online. A few simple checks and rules can make all the difference to how you are understood and perceived online.
While you're writing
Email, texting or DMing on social media - they're different to talking in person or on the phone. A little consideration can make sure you get your message across in the nicest possible way.
Watch your tone
Words don’t convey facial expressions, gestures or tone. Humour and sarcasm can be difficult to translate into a text or comment. Use emojis to try and convey a certain tone or emotion, such as happy, excited or confused.
UPPER CASE LETTERS = SHOUTING
Use sparingly and if you really feel like shouting, put your phone down or step away from the keyboard and take a few deep breaths.
Be careful with swearing
It’s easy to forget your Nana is a friend on Facebook and you could be offending people you’ve never met. If you must, it's better to @&%#! than spell it out. You can also use emojis instead of angry words.
Check the scene
If you are visiting an online group, forum or social media page that's new to you, take a look around. Spend some time listening or reading the posts and comments. Get a feel for the conversation first. Then go ahead and join in.
Before you hit reply or comment
Taking a moment for a quick check can save you a lot of explaining later on...
Check before you hit send
A quick read and a spell check can clear up any accidental misunderstandings and leave a better impression on your reader.
Don’t hit send when you are angry or upset
Type it out if you have to, then save it, take a break and re-read it later. Once you’ve sent it, it could be in circulation for a long time.
Make sure your message is going to the right person
Sounds obvious, but it happens to us all. Autocomplete is a killer. Remember to double-check the email address or phone number in the to: field (and the cc: and bcc: fields if you want to be thorough) before clicking send.
Think about whether it’s worth sending
Certain memes, GIFs, jokes, pictures of kittens doing cute kitten things – they can take up a lot of time and bandwidth, and annoy the people you're hoping to amuse, which runs the risk of getting unfriended, unfollowed or even blocked.
Do unto others...
Remember there's a real person on the other end, with real person feelings and real person rights.
Respect people’s privacy
It can be tempting to scroll through someone else’s emails or texts, but if they’re not addressed to you, you shouldn’t be reading them.
Don’t forward or screenshot emails and messages without asking first
Gossip takes on a whole other dimension when it's written in black and white. The possibility for people's words to be misrepresented is very easy when you're communicating online. It only takes a moment to ask someone if they'd mind if you shared something. They'll love you for it, and it's just plain respectful too.
Remember there’s a person at the other end
If you wouldn’t say it to them face-to-face, don’t send it in a message they can keep and share with the world.
Person-to-person is still safest
If it’s a really private message, deliver it yourself to the person it’s meant for in person. Give them a call or catch up with them at work or school instead. Remember, once you send it, it's out of your control.
Links
eSafety Commissioner
More information about how to be safe online, including how to report cyber bullying.
ThinkUKnow
Helpful site full of tips on how to stay in control on the web.
That's Not Cool
An interactive site from the US that’s all about being respectful on and offline.