Logo: Manner Born

Abha Chaudhary

Respect is the name of the game

With trolls watching over every post, the need for social media etiquette is stronger than ever

With more time at hand and restrictions on our social and business movements, almost every citizen was converted into a netizen with a clear inclination to spend time on social media to feel “connected”.

Perhaps with ruffled emotions, trolls on social media are also rampant. This means that the need for social media etiquette is stronger than ever. How do we end up learning the unwritten rules for social media etiquette?

It’s hard to know which rules exist, which ones are real, and which ones are okay to break or follow. For me, it was a lot of watching and waiting, a bit of experimenting and tons of trial and error.

When I first started out on social media, I had just the most basic rules and intuitions. Even now, I feel like I learn a new quirk on a near-daily basis. My experience with social media has led me to a clarity that while some rules across all platforms are tailored like knowing the art of hashtags for added engagement and visibility, there seem to be a set of social media rules that are really guided by consideration for my audience and respect for other’s opinions.

Avoid the ugly

As you browse your social media feeds, it’s easy to spot outrageous posts, appalling comments, and annoying content. Though one instant temptation is to deactivate your account and shut the social media noise out, the other thought is to improve the environment by becoming a responsible user and learning the proper social media etiquette that both businesses and private users should follow.

Social media after all is home to tons of cute videos and memes -which can really set our dopamine levels high, at the same time it’s unethical to use a viral medium to spread hatred and outrage. The sensitivity of the medium must be handled with care.

Social media should be a platform to initiate meaningful discussion and promote refreshing communication. It’s not the place to vent out your anger. Don’t add to its toxicity by trolling and spreading negativity. Bad mouthing should never be the name of the game. Respecting the opinions of other netizens is imperative. Accept the otherness of the other. However reasonable you believe your arguments to be, you won’t be able to convince everyone. In case you find yourself in a heated exchange with other users, always remember to retreat gracefully. Make sure your statements are based on hard facts. Also, avoid attacking the person personally and never resort to threats as this can be lawfully punished.

Be socially sensitive

By being sensitive to your audience, you should be able to identify what’s worth sharing or posting and what’s not. Never try to dip into matters that are based on slander. It pays to be culturally and socially sensitive to your audience. Your social media efforts and the content you post on social media should be valuable, shareable, and original. It’s polite to give attribution and credit to authors of content sources, where it’s due. Be an active contributor for a healthier social media environment. Hold off contents that contain even the slightest hint of aggression. Be responsible to always check your sources and be critical with what you read. Don’t be easily fooled with unreliable information and share spammy posts. It can be annoying. Every social media user should be responsible and mature enough to oppose and not be part of cyber bullying.

Respect privacy rules

Social media sites can be a peaceful and fun place if users are sensitive when it comes to tagging posts or photos. Asking for permission before tagging a person is a good practice because candid shots that are unflattering could mar the personal and professional image of a person. Hiring officers now check social media to find and screen potential talent. We should all respect each other’s privacy.

Is posting everything about your personal life really important? If a stranger would visit your profile, what would he or she think or say about you? It’s a good practice to examine your profile and identify what image you are portraying through your posts and shares. Groups are a great way to connect with others. Respect the group dynamics and tone. Share and engage. Treat others as you would like to be treated.

(Chaudhary is a Chandigarh-based image and style consultant).