Online interaction between users is guided by a set of rules that is expected to be followed and observed by all participants. These rules are put in place to ensure that order will prevail. The interaction that happens in the online environment is not much different from face-to-face encounters.
The aspect of anonymity however has emboldened many to do what they won’t normally do in person. Some lie about their names and their personal circumstances. It wouldn’t matter that much if such “lies†are merely meant to maintain anonymity and not to abuse people they will meet online. Existing guidelines for online activity always emphasizes the need to respect others.
Respect is essentially about not intruding into another person’s privacy unless invited and behaving in such a manner that will not result to hurting others. Spamming is a classic example of a violation that intrudes and disturbs online users. Threatening, use of obscenities and sexual harassment has no place in an online community.
Online users are bound to encounter communities they would probably think of joining and being an active part of. In such communities, there will be experienced users and newcomers. The former is expected to introduce the latter to the use of the platform. People tend to form sub-groupings inside communities as they discover other common interests that may set them apart from the others.
Familiarity with other community members can result to the formation of a common “language†which they will use when interacting with each other. These can consist of words and symbols that can be learned by newcomers in time. The online community has become a gold mine for new friends and associates. One just need to exercise caution in dealing with the undesirables.
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