Netiquette - Etiquette for the internet. An Overview

1. Netiquette: Rules for safe interaction and collaboration
on the internet

2. 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)

3. Definitions
cc licensed (BY-2.0) flickr photo by greeblie:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeblie/3338710
223/
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).

4. Key concepts and ideas of Netiquette
xt2mindmap.com/
Mind map created by Michelle using
http://www.text2mindmap.com/

5. Key concepts of Netiquette
Emoticons
Emotion + Icon
cc licensed (BY-2.0) flickr photo shared by Schosie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/schoschie/2344945779/

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

7. 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).
cc0 1.0 licensed Public Domain Dedication
Open Clip Art Library picture drawn by
Eggib More than 50% of all Australian teachers
http://openclipart.org/detail/100801/netikett-by-eggib
had at least one cyber-safety incident
directly reported to them in 2010
[IRIS:2010] (Department of the Prime
Minister & Cabinet. 2011, p.5).

8. 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).

9. 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).

10. Conclusion
How 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/

11. 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?

12. Recommended Reading
1. 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_Representati
ves_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.