Netiquette: Rules for safe interaction and collaboration on the internet

Digital Citizenship Policy Issue“It is important to realize that one’s online actions today can have a real

impact on one’s online presence in the future”(iSafe, 2010, p.187).

Michelle’s photo (2012)

Definitions

A set of rules or standards people follow to keep the online environment pleasant and safe (Johnson, Manning & Fickelstein, 2009, p.217).

It is the etiquette of cyberspace (Shea, 2011).

A set of rules for polite behaviour on the internet. The use of netiquette positively affects the internet environment by minimizing rude, offensive or abusive online actions (iSafe, 2012, p.193).

cc licensed (BY-2.0) flickr photo by greeblie: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeblie/3338710223/

Key concepts and ideas of Netiquette

xt2mindmap.com/Mind map created by Michelle using http://www.text2mindmap.com/

Key concepts of NetiquetteEmoticons

Emotion + Icon

cc licensed (BY-2.0) flickr photo shared by Schosiehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/schoschie/2344945779/

Issues of Netiquette

Word cloud created by Michelle (2012) using http://www.tagxedo.com//

Issues of Netiquette

In 2009, 33% of 14-15 year olds agreed, ‘you can behave however you like because know one knows who you are’ compared to 20% of 12-13 year olds and 28% of 16-17 year olds’ (ACMA, 2009, p.34).

More than 50% of all Australian teachers had at least one cyber-safety incident directly reported to them in 2010 [IRIS:2010] (Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet. 2011, p.5).

cc0 1.0 licensed Public Domain Dedication Open Clip Art Library picture drawn by Eggibhttp://openclipart.org/detail/100801/netikett-by-eggib

Current or Alternative views of Netiquette

Students need to understand that their freedom to publish whatever they want online comes with responsibility and reckless posting of information about themselves and others can have serious ramifications (Lorenzo, 2007 p. 35).

Freedom of speech does not equate to freedom from consequences and there are now many examples of young adults being sued or prosecuted because of careless or deliberate internet postings (Oxley, 2011).

Current or Alternative views of Netiquette

In June 2011, the Australian Government released an Interim Report of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety. Schools are the key places to encourage young people to improve their own safety and online ethics (Commonwealth of Australia, 2010, p. 249).

ConclusionHow information is communicated in a person’s work, personal or academic life is vital and goes on forever (Lorenzo, 2007, p.13).

Always choose a communication medium and format that best supports the purposes of the product and the intended audience (Bundy, 2004, p.21).

Refer to the Australian Government’s Cybersmart Education website for current advice, guidance and teaching materials.http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/

3 Questions to consider Why is netiquette important as a strategy to assist

students with the challenges and risks arising from an increasingly digital environment?

As a teacher, how can I model appropriate use of netiquette for my students?

Where can I find further information about netiquette as new web tools, social and collaboration sites are created?

Recommended Reading1. Australian Communications and Media Authority [ACMA], (2009). Click and Connect:

Young Australians’ use of online social media, 2009. Retrieved 17 April, 2012 from http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311797

2. Commonwealth of Australia, (2011). High-Wire Act: Cyber-Safety and the Young. Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety Interim Report. Retrieved 27 April, 2012 from

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=jscc/report.htm

3. Shea, V. (2011). Netiquette. Retrieved 29 March, 2012, from http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html

4. Green, T. D., Brown, A., & Robinson, L. (2008) Making the most of the web in your classroom. Chapter 4. Victoria: Hawker Brownlow Education.

5. iSafe. (2010). i-SAFE Internet safety activities : Reproducible projects for teachers and parents,

Grades K-8. Jossey-Bass. Retrieved 14 April , 2012, from Ebook Library http://www.csuau.eblib.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=5430064.