Netiquette (Network Etiquette) Guidelines

Netiquette is a set of rules or manners for online behavior. These rules or manners are not laws that the Internet community are forced to follow; they are the accepted behavior the Internet community expects from its citizens. Many of the rules or manners have been established to address the limitations that are imposed on us by electronic communications.

Email messages and newsgroup messages lack the facial expressions, body language and tone of voice that we use when we communicate with each other face to face. The telephone at least conveys the tone of our voice. We can hear when the other person is kidding or being serious. Humorous and satirical remarks can take on a different quality without facial expressions and tone of voice. Misunderstandings can occur. Feelings can be hurt. The cleverly worded message fails to be read the way it was intended. Netiquette helps us avoid most of these misunderstandings.

Schools should include a list of the online behavior they expect from students and staff in their Acceptable Use Policy. 

• Be polite!
  • Do not send abusive or derogatory messages to anyone.
• Use appropriate language.
  • Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language in any messages or web pages.
• Do not use the network for illegal activities.
  •  Do not violate copyright laws.
• Respect yours and others privacy.
  • Do not give out personal information about yourself or other students/staff.
• Respect the rights of others.
  • Do not use the network in anyway that could disrupt the use of the network for other students/staff. 
  • Do not waste network resources (bandwidth, file storage space, printers, paper).

There are other specific Netiquette guidelines you may want to explain to students and staff.

Netiquette Resources

Next Section - Acceptable Use Policy - Email Etiquette