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For Kids
Netiquette
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Netiquette

Netiquette is about having a set of rules for behaving properly when online.  

Netiquette Video Competition - See the Winning Films

The winning films from the Netiquette Competition were premiered on the 30 June 2008 at Reel Cinema in Loughborough.  You can view the films together or watch Belvoir High School's Crashed or Mountfield Primary School's Be Cool.
 The Chairman and Pupils at the Netiquette Premiere in front of the big screen
The Netiquette competition was jointly run by the Safeguarding Children Team and the E-communications Team to help get  young people to understand and develop good online manners or netiquette.  The aim of the competition was for pupils to choose some of the netiquette rules and show how they could be turned into a short video by creating storyboards. The storyboards of the winning entries where then made into films.

The main rules of Netiquette

There are many rules for Netiquette, but we have listed, what we think are the most important rules:

  • Avoid hurting someone’s feeling with e-mail

    Sometimes when you are online, people cannot tell whether you are joking.  Make sure the person who is getting the message understands what you mean, you can do this by using a smiley, such as :)

  • Respect other people’s online rights

    People on the Internet have the right to feel safe and secure.  You should not send or pass on anything that is threatening or bullying.  If someone send you an email which makes you feel uncomfortable or threatened, talk to your parent or an adult in school straightaway.

  • If someone says something nasty to you or about you online, stay calm

    You may be very angry about what someone has said to you, but before starting your own personal war, take a deep breath and then write a polite message asking them to explain what they meant.  It may have been a misunderstanding.

  • Avoid “crashing” discussion groups or forums

    People on the Internet frequently get together online and talk about things they have in common, this can be done via a chatgroup, listserv etc.  Don’t join a discussion just for the fun of “crashing it”, join it in order to take part in the discussion.  Remember also that you are not the centre of the discussion, let other people have their say!

  • Respect the privacy of other people

    Sharing your password with someone, even your best friend is never a good idea. Passwords and personal information is private and should never be shared with others.

  • Be smart and sensible online

    When you are at the computer you are in charge of it.  You should never use your freedom in cyberspace to harm others.  Taking things that are not yours e.g. passwords, credit card numbers, spreading rumours and infecting other computers with virus, is neither smart nor sensible.  Remember, you wouldn’t want it done to you, so don’t do it to others.

  • Help others

    You may know people who are not as clever as you when it comes to cyberspace.  Why don’t help your parents, grandparents and teachers understand what it is all about.

  • Make yourself look good online

    You don’t want to give other people the idea that cyberspace is a horrible place where all people want to do is insult others.  If you want to look good online make sure that you can be properly understood by writing well.  Pay attention to the content of what you are writing. Check that is accurate and well written.  Remember, anything you write in cyberspace is never truly lost!

Why do we need a set of rules for cyberspace?

We need rules for cyberspace because sometimes people forget that when they are online they are dealing with real human beings and not just characters on screen.
When we don’t use netiquette we are in danger of offending people without meaning to, we may misunderstand what other people say to us or more worryingly, we may end up committing a crime!

What’s the secret of Netiquette?

Remembering that the people you are talking to online are real and that you can cause upset if you don’t think about what you say, where you say it and how you say it.

How is Netiquette linked to staying safe online?

In the same way that when you meet a stranger for the first time you would not give out your telephone number, your address or any other details; you need to do the same when in cyberspace.  If you met someone for the very first time would you really want to know everything about them?  We think not.

further information
Last Updated:
21 February 2008
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