Use of various social media platforms have
increased exponentially during last 2 – 3 years. At the end of 2019, there were
3.50 billion (350,00,00,000) users in the world. No invention in the history of
mankind has ever become popular so quickly as this smart service has done. When
we buy a new gadget or service, instructions are invariably made available as
to its, configuration, installation, operational aspects, etc – as a hardcopy
or softcopy, some time in many languages. What the supplier does not provide is
the list of behavioural etiquettes to be followed by a user. There many social
media platforms. The most popular social media are: Facebook, YouTube,
Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, etc.
Though the functionalities of social media
differ depending upon the platform, the list of behavioural etiquettes to be
followed by an individual user can be summarized as under (these would be more
relevant in the wake of spike in usage of social media due to dreadful pandemic
of Corona virus):
1. Rationalization:
Though the usage of platform may be cheap or
free, your time and the time of the receiver/ target audience is not free. Use
the platform judiciously.
2. You
are exposing yourself:
Mind well, your aggressive and intensive use of
the media tells more about you rather than what you tell in the post.
3. Haphazard forwarding is disgusting:
Forwarding is a very easy function in most of
the platforms. We use this generously. Without application of mind, we forward
it to many contacts, some time to all, as if we are going to get paid per “click”.
Your most of such “forwards” irritate the receiver as the functionalities of
opening, downloading and reading/viewing them are not so user friendly as that
of Forwarding. If you do not mend your ways, you will be muted/blocked – and
that can be done without any hint to you. Most importantly, don’t forward any
message when you doubt its authenticity.
4. Intolerance to other caste, creed, colour,
gender or religion:
Whatever ideology you have about other caste,
creed, colour or religion; show maturity, tolerance and respect them all. If
you do not follow this rule, you will be in trouble under some rule framed by
the authority.
5. Don’t show an individual or organisation in
dim light
Do not share your negative views or bad
personal experience about an individual or organisation on social media. It
will boomerang. Your genuine concerns should be taken up on one-to-one basis
directly with the concerned individual or organisation.
6. Don’t
crack a joke about an individual, though very close to you
Though your joke may be just for a fun, level
of appetite for your fun varies from individual to individual. We do not know
when and why our best of the friends might get offended. In spite of this
advice, you want to cajole your friend by your joke, use phone and tell him.
7.
Initiate an original topic of practical value
If you are gifted with good grey matter, initiate
an original topic of practical value. Even though, you have not requested the
receiver to forward, it will be forwarded to many. You can share your
experience to make others aware to steer away from a trouble spot in which you
might have been bogged down.
8. Follow the rules of the Group
If you are a member of a social media Group,
follow the rules framed by the Group. Appreciate the responsibilities of the
Admin. Do not post a message in the Group when it is meant for a particular
individual. Use a one-to-one communication channel.
9. Maintain decency of the content
Do not post (even to your confidants or
confidantes) vulgar photos, videos, jokes, memes, pranks, threats, etc on
social media - such content has a propensity to travel too far, too fast. Sanitize
your content before posting. Our irresponsible postings pollute the social
media. Decency is not only about content, it also about respecting the seniors,
elders and public authority.
10. You exploit the social media, do not allow
reverse to happen
Social media is a powerful tool for business networking,
communication tool for business, keeping abreast of the developments in your
area of interest. Exploit it. Rake up the Google to know how best you can do
this. Do not allow the media to exploit you and eat away your time.
11. Respond at the earliest
Though it is difficult, (if your are receiving
many messages to respond quickly to each message in a suitable manner) it is a
good netiquette to respond to each message as soon as possible. Work/Business
message must be responded quickly.
12. Do not show off / flaunt
Do not post any content whereby you want to
show off/ flaunt your worldly possession / power rather than genuinely
informing about the same to your contacts.
13. Do not impersonate (hide your identity)
While Registration / opening the a/c, give your
correct bio-data. Do not hide your identity. When you are connected with
internet, it is difficult to hide yourself.
14. Language
and Grammar
Language is always under evolution process
irrespective of its age. A new language is emerging amongst netizens wherein
new words, abbreviations, icons and emojis are being used. And grammar? Nobody
knows what will happen to it. However, it is advisable to use correct grammar
and only familiar abbreviations.
15. Complete typing your message and send in a
single shot
Write your full text message, better read it
and send it in a single shot. Do not send each sentence separately on its
completion. If photos/videos are sent, add suggestive caption.
16. Never make a joke out of someone’s pitiable
situation
Getting fun by posting a jocular content created
from someone’s pitiable situation hurts the subject person the most and more
than that it reflects on your sadistic inclination.
17. Do not send messages to a person below
“legal age”
Such messages could be misinterpreted by
children as their way of thinking is different from adults. Besides, parents
might be got offended if you communicate with their children.
18. Connected but distanced
Stories are rife vouching that social media
connects us and that is no doubt true. It is also equally true that improper
messages can sour your relationship, particularly amongst the youth and
lovebirds. Your small mistake will be amplified, just to ignite up a dispute. Unfortunately,
such ugly stories are hardly relayed on the social media. Be diplomatic rather
than telling a spade, a spade.
19. Leaving the group
If you find that the group’s objectives are not
served well, mute or rather better leave the group. You do not owe any
obligation to explain why you left. Likewise, if somebody leaves the group,
make no issue.
20. Choose proper time for posting
Post your messages at the time which suits the
receiver. Consider the convenience of the receiver, not yours.
21. Daily dose of morning feed
Do you like receiving everyday a daily dose of
“Good Morning”, some inspiring proverb, idiom, quotes, icons, emojis, from a
particular contact? No. The moral is: Please do not administer such dose to
your contacts.
Do you find this list too long? May be. The
reason is: some of us have gone too far in vitiating the social media. At
times, the abuse is so offending that the State has to impose restrains.
(Readers’
comments are welcome at gnpatel@gujaratinfotech.com)
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