Netiquettes or netiquette are a set of rules aimed at regulating people's behavior on the Internet to collectively create safe and respectful environments for everyone.
SPC, the Spanish consumer electronics brand, lists a series of technological recommendations to combat harassment on social networks so that younger users can enjoy interacting on the Internet with good conduct habits.
Harassment on social networks is a major social issue in the digitalized world. People of all ages use the Internet daily to work, socialize, get information, or enjoy leisure time. And although it affects all age groups, 7 out of 10 children in Spain suffer some form of cyberbullying every day, according to a study by the international NGO ‘Bullying Without Borders’. These situations even occur among young children, between 8 and 9 years old, often coming from classmates and school friends. In other cases, harassment comes from strangers who take advantage of the anonymity of the internet and the vulnerability of the youngest to attack them.
SPC, the Spanish consumer electronics brand, lists a series of technological recommendations to reduce digital harassment. One of them is education, both so that they know how to identify when they are being abused and so that they do not become the ones harassing others.
In this regard, the Anti-Bullying Day, celebrated every May 2nd, aims to focus on the new forms of bullying that many children suffer, many of which have digital environments as their epicenter. The goal is for parents and the educational community to know the tools young people have at their disposal so they can use technology without harming themselves or others.
This is where netiquettes come into play, a set of conduct rules on the web that are gaining followers and that, as SPC reminds us, can make a difference in the coming years:
1st.- What are netiquettes and why do they create safer digital environments?
Netiquettes, or netiquette, are a series of digital social norms aimed at regulating people's behavior on the Internet to collectively create safe and respectful environments. These good conduct habits can help combat digital harassment, especially if taught to younger users who often cannot distinguish behaviors in the digital environment that they initially consider normal but that can be harmful to others. In the physical world, we know what is right and wrong. We wouldn’t think of making certain comments and we respect other people’s privacy. But in the virtual world, this barrier blurs and the limits are not so clear. It seems like anything goes. But not everything is acceptable. For this reason, new codes are needed to help respect all users in any situation.
2nd.- Main “codes of conduct” on the Internet
Since the Internet has its own codes, netiquettes help ensure that people's behavior in digital environments is similar to that in the real world. For example, it is recommended not to use all caps when communicating in writing, as it is identified as shouting, and it is suggested not to use sarcasm, since some words or phrases could be misinterpreted without being able to hear the tone of the speaker.
Other netiquettes encourage protecting others’ privacy by not sharing messages or documents sent to us as part of a conversation, as well as not sharing personal information through social networks. Harassers use private information for malicious purposes, such as identity theft online, blackmail and extortion through threats to publish sensitive data, or direct harassment.
There are also netiquettes that promote respecting others’ time by not bombarding them with messages at all hours or demanding instant replies, and others recommend using verified sources when informing ourselves and sharing that information with others.
3rd.- Adults, besides educating young people, can manage their access to technology
In addition to educating on how to interact with others through the Internet, there are digital tools that manage how children use devices and digital channels. For this reason, there are devices specially designed for children, such as children’s tablets, which are compatible with Google Family Link: a suite of digital tools that allow adults to manage their children’s devices by setting usage rules, blocking content that is not age-appropriate, and protecting users’ security and privacy. This tool can be extended to other gadgets from the brand, making the digital device safe in itself.
4th.- Fighting digital harassment is everyone’s responsibility
As SPC reminds us, to combat school and digital harassment, we cannot place all the responsibility on children and young people; adults must work alongside them to educate them in good conduct values. If as adults we demonize technology because it can be used negatively, we will be teaching children that technology is bad in itself and that they will use it incorrectly. This is a mistake we have made for years, especially when dealing with generations that are digital natives, born with smart technology present in their daily lives.
Digital devices are tools that empower people. An example is the basic entry-level smartphones, simple to use but powerful at the same time, and one of the favorite models among parents as a starter mobile phone for their children. They have everything needed to start interacting with friends on digital channels, such as a camera or the ability to install messaging and game apps; but at the same time, these devices should be supervised by adults so there is a learning process with such a powerful tool as a smartphone.
In a digitalized society, smart technology offers endless possibilities to both young people and adults. That is why it is essential that we know how to use these tools responsibly, something SPC actively promotes so that all users feel safe using technology.
[button url="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0506/9678/1998/files/NP___Que_son_las_netiquetas_y_por_que_pueden_ayudar_a_combatir_el_acoso_en_redes_WEB.docx?v=1682522885" text="Download"]
