Being a good netizen

Communication, banking, shopping, education and travel are increasingly done online: we live in a digital society. Anyone who uses digital technology with the Internet is a digital citizen, or netizen. A good netizen follows net etiquette (good manners online), under three heads:

Be ethical:

• Do not violate copyright: do not use someone's copyrighted work (pictures, music, writing) without permission.
• Share your expertise, but only information that is true, clear, and that you know well.

Be respectful:

• Respect privacy: never share other people's private images, files or messages without their consent.
• Respect diversity: people online have different knowledge, experiences and cultures; treat their views with respect.

Be responsible:

• Avoid cyber bullying: insulting, threatening, humiliating or spreading rumours about someone online, often again and again, to hurt them. If it happens to you, do not reply; save the messages and tell a trusted adult.
• Remember that our actions online can be traced through our digital footprints.
• Don't feed the troll: a troll deliberately posts upsetting or provocative messages to start quarrels, for their own amusement. Replying gives them what they want. The best response is to ignore them.