SOCIAL MEDIA
SOCIAL MEDIA
WHAT ’ S RUDE ONLINE ?
Participating in social media networks like Facebook , Instagram or even TikTok later in life can be great fun – a rewarding way to reconnect with far-flung family and old friends – maybe your friends are even bugging you to take part .
However , navigating the social niceties can be a bit perplexing for some of us who came of age without the internet . To help give you a leg up , here are a few handy dos and don ’ ts for interacting with others online .
DO : USE PUNCTUATION AND EMOJIS
• Without facial expressions or tone of voice , punctuation like an exclamation point or emoji smiley face can help express a positive attitude .
• Conversely , a one word reply with a period may indicate displeasure .
• Several emojis or exclamation points is overkill so keep it light .
DO : IGNORE A MESSAGE OR REQUEST FROM A STRANGER
• It may feel impolite but ignoring a stranger ’ s message online is a normal and safe choice .
• Unsolicited messages or requests from strangers often turn out to be scams . The person may threaten you or solicit you for money or personal information . So , it ’ s best not to engage .
DO : CHECK YOUR FACTS
• With lots of misinformation circulating on the web , take information you see with a grain of salt .
• It ’ s nothing personal to go to the source of a friend ’ s post or investigate it further on reputable sites .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU SHOULD AVOID DOING TO BE SAFE AND POLITE ONLINE :
DO NOT : POST SOMETHING YOU WOULDN ’ T SAY IN PUBLIC
• Being kind should be a no-brainer , but it can be easy to forget yourself over on the internet .
• As a rule , don ’ t say something online you wouldn ’ t say to the person ’ s face in public .
DO NOT : SIGN YOUR NAME ON DIRECT MESSAGES
• It ’ s not necessary or expected . The person will know who you are based on your profile or account .
• If it ’ s the first time ever you ’ re messaging the person , then you should certainly say who you are at the start , but not as a sign off .
DO NOT : OVERSHARE
• A few pics of your pets may be a nice diversion , but no one wants to know every detail .
• In fact , sharing too much online can be a security risk . Many cyber criminals are on the lookout for information they can use to personalize scams so you ’ re more likely to fall for them .
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