Netiquette for Facebook: A Manual for Newbies
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Netiquette for Facebook Newbie
By Heather – a Facebook Junkie
Chances are if you do not understand the terms in the title of this manual then you will benefit from the following top 10 rules of netiquette, a term used for interacting and communicating with others while on the internet. The rules of netiquette can be applied or adapted to any forum or social networking site.
For the purposes of demonstration I will be using Facebook to provide examples. Facebook has become increasingly popular. Young and old alike are using Facebook to keep in contact with loved ones, share pictures, and play games.
Facebook can be used for many fun things. However, Facebook can turn something that looks like harmless fun into damage that could last a life time. This manual will show you how to avoid the latter.
Rule 1: Do not put mundane things in your status bar. People do not want to know that you just washed your car or that you are getting ready to make dinner.
Putting the minutia of everyday life can turn off your reader. If they feel that your status is too mundane, they may decide that your writing is not relevant in regards to their interests and they will stop reading.
Rule 2: Do not update your status every 5 minutes. People do not want a running account of the day.
You need to be concise in your messages. Say what you want to say and be done with it. While reading, the reader will use their general knowledge to make connections. In the example, the author posted four times about going to the movies with his son. Although this is a sweet story, every status update is displayed on all of your “friends” feed. Four posts in that many hours is too many. Try not to exceed one status update per day.
Rule 3: There are a variety of levels of Facebook involvement. Do not be offended if someone does not reply to your posts or pictures, they are probably less involved than you.
| Friends may not see your posts and therefore would not be able to respond. |
Let’s face it: some of us are more social than others and that is okay. The problem could be a result of the length of all of the posts or the amount of pictures you uploaded. Keep in mind that some people invest their time in other activities and may not Facebook on a regular basis.
Rule 4: Do not use your status as a cathartic therapy intervention. Heavy duty emotions should be saved for face to face conversations with your shrink.
Deeper inner feelings let us know we are alive. We all have them. Therefor we do not need to tell everyone how sad/mad/worried we are at any given moment. People come on Facebook to connect with friends in a positive way. Writing your inner most thoughts may kill otherwise cheerful spirits. The purpose or intent of communicating with your “friends” on Facebook should be pleasant, not depressing.
Always question the purpose of your writing. Although it may feel good to get things off of your chest. Your reader may not comprehend what you are writing about. In addition, rambling posts disrupts cohesion, rendering your post to seem irrelevant and a bit psycho.
Rule 5: Do not write negative comments or opinions about other people. This is called “flaming.” Innocent flaming can turn into full-fledged “flaming wars” where insults are traded back and forth. Instead, focus on your appreciation for others by dropping them a word or two of encouragement.
Posting negative comments can affect your future posts. The reader may carry over your hostility and assume that you are alluding to something else in your post. That is: they think you are hinting around about something else than what you actually posted.
Your friends would much rather see how much you care about others than how much you like to talk badly about people you know.
| Readers may place more emphasis on your writing and interpret the statement out of context. |
Rule 6: Status updates can be misinterpreted.
The example starts off with a status post about the user’s son dressing up for church when he doesn’t believe that it is necessary. By taking the subjects of him and his son out of the context of the message, readers misinterpret the message and the post quickly becomes a debate rather than a father’s musing.
Rule 7: Do not send “requests” to friends to join any games, causes, or other annoying Facebook application.
| Multiple requests can flood mailboxes and are typically seen as redundant. |
Chances are that they are aware of it and if they want to play they would have done so by now.
The most effective Facebook users know what type of information is appropriate and how it will be received by the reader. Too many requests send the message that you have too much time on your hands and that you believe your friend does too.
Rule 8: Do not scan old high school pictures and “tag” your friends. Nobody wants to have that on the internet. You may think that only the two of you can see those pictures of the crazy night after the football game, but that is false.
You may have intended your picture as homage to a fun or nostalgic time. All Facebook users must realize that employers check Facebook and other networking sites. The content is then interpreted as a testament to their character. Posing at a table full of beer does not send a professional image and could result in lost job opportunities.
Side Note: Tagging unsuspecting people may led them to include the picture in a manual about Facebook etiquette.
Rule 9: Refrain from using vulgar and obscene language and/or pictures – Nobody wants to see it or hear it.
Discussing late night partying and referring to your friends as “bitches” may be acceptable in your closer friendships. Close friendships communicate in a less formal matter, often using low language, such as cursing.
Rule 10: What you say and do online can affect you in real life. Control the members of your audience by selecting what information you want to share. Selecting who can see your messages and other types of activity on Facebook, can limit the negative effects of listed in this manual. This can be done by accessing your Facebook account and selecting the privacy option.
| Use your privacy settings to control who is able to see your messages and other types of information on your Facebook account. |
Keep in mind that people on the internet are real and have real feelings. When you post on Facebook, you are communicating with all of your friends. Make sure this information is what you want others to see. If you do not believe this rule, feel free to test it out by updating your status with “my boss is a fucking asshole”. That is certainly a message that is clear, concise, and easily understood by the reader.
Conclusion
While this manual in no way covers all of the proper ways to communicate on social networking sites, such as Facebook. It does serve as a starting point. Understanding these 10 fundamental rules will ensure that your writing and other types of communication will serve its purpose and you will annoy less people in the process.
