Mind Your (Net) Manners
“With great power comes great responsibility” - Uncle Ben to Peter Parker, Spiderman
There is no doubt that the Internet revolution has given users great power. Anyone with basic Internet knowledge can already create their own content, be it a blog, a website, or a profile on a social networking site. Along with user-generated content, site viewers can also contribute their own input to these sites via comments and guestbook content. This merry mix of content from site owners and visitors open up a flood of sometimes controversial content. Throw in the “freedom of expression” mantra, and you’ve got a tricky environment.
Just like any other environment, the Internet also entails some code of ethics. It may be an unwritten code, but it exists nevertheless. It is not the kind of etiquette that’s cast in stone, but it would be really great if it’s observed. In a perfect world of responsible “netizenship”, there would be no spam, no cyberstalkers, no malicious emails, no hacked accounts. Just plainly nothing malicious, annoying and inconvenient at all. And all sites created by users will always be of great quality.
The most common problem - aside from viruses, phshing and trojans - is spam. From spam emails to spam comments, it is has become like an annoying pothole while navigating the Web. The annoyance of its presence and its possible danger are very discouraging to both site owners and visitors. The quality of a site dramatically goes down once it is infested by spam. Worse than spam are malicious comments like hate messages and sexual or any other form of harassment. Imagine how you would feel if you spent a lot of time and effort in creating a beautiful and interesting site, only to be invaded by irresponsible site visitors leaving spam or other irrelevant and malicious comments.
It would be very difficult, nearly impossible to police the Internet. There would always be the issue of censorship and freedom of expression, but just like everything, there are boundaries no matter how vague and inconstant. There is still a limit to how much people put out on the Net. The safe rule of thumb is respect and common decency, especially in the prevalence of social networking and blogging.
The main thing to remember when it comes to Net etiquette is that freedom of expression is always coupled with responsibility. There is a fine and very tricky line between freedom of expression and disrespect or maliciousness. Self-regulation is the key.
Site owners have the responsibility to publish sites that do not offend the general public. Sites with sensitive content must have appropriate warning. Site owners should also avoid being instigators of malicious content themselves. Some flame wars originate from irresponsible content in the first place, to which readers only react.
Site visitors also share in the responsibility of a friendly or, at the very least, tolerable Internet environment. Irrelevant and disrespectful comments must be avoided at all times. Just put yourselves in the shoes of the site owner. Would you also want to receive such comments on your own site? It’s really simple - just don’t do to other sites what you don’t want to be done to your own site.
Some basic ethics to remember:
- Don’t put up or write anything that offends races, sexes, religions and cultures.
- Avoid starting or participating in “flame wars”, especially in the forums.
- Treat people as you would face-to-face. The anonymity of the Internet is no excuse for inappropriate language and behavior.
- It would be really nice to post relevant, useful content. Avoid posting just for the sake of having content. The Internet revolution headlines freedom of expression, so go ahead, express yourself! Properly, that is.
- Respect, above everything else.
Net etiquette is sometimes a very touchy subject, but it has to be dealt with. Just as we take care of our physical environment, we should also be mindful of the virtual one. There is no harm in being ethical and there is a lot to be gained.
Yeah you’re right. I think what we need to be a responsible net user is discipline and a bit of sensitivity. If we have this power to influence others, then might as well make it right. We have this privilege now to express our piece of mind thru the net. Let’s not abuse it. Thank you.
Comment by John joven — June 22, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
Thank you for your comment, John. I hope there will be more like-minded people out there.
Comment by leah — June 22, 2008 @ 11:56 pm
Good day! I would like to congratulate in the success of mobilemo. But with this success comes its flaws. I would like to report to you one site that promotes easy sex. This site has a name 01_cum2cum. It was stated in his guestbook his intention to make sex with everyone whose interested, especially to the member of the 3rd sex. His shared files contains also his erect penis and other explicit photos. Being a concerned citizen, it is somewhat malicious specially is a free site. I hope you will ignore this coz i only want a clean, entertaining and informative site that you have promised. In any case you found that site have ground for deletion, do what is right. Please monitor other sites too. Thanks and more power
Comment by Denver — September 16, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
I hope you will not ignore this. Your site is freely accessible by adults and even minors. Site like 01_cum2cum should not exist or should have been warned. It advertised free sex to the public. His guestbook is full of malicious words which should not be published.
Comment by Denver — September 16, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Hi, Denver. Thank you very much for your feedback. We will address it immediately. Rest assured that Mobilemo will not tolerate offensive content.
As our membership continues to increase, it will become more and more difficult to monitor every site, so we really appreciate feedback from members who find such sites and report it to us. There is also a “Report Abuse” button on the profile page, so please just click on it should you happen to see other offensive sites.
Thank you.
Comment by leah — September 16, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
Thanks leah. I jst want to address it so that in the future such site won’t exist or at least monitored. We dont want to sensationalized such thing when the media see such site. It’s really offensive. Thank you again
Comment by Denver — September 16, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
Hi. I read what denver has reported. Is there a verdict already with the case of 01_cum2cum? I was curious so i checked on that site. It’s nt nice. He promotes sex and encourage everybody who’s interested. Isn’t enough to delete that site. Im a woman and i find it alarmin. I jst hope you cn do something regarding this matter. Thanks and God bless you
Comment by Liezel — September 18, 2008 @ 12:51 am
Hi Denver, Liezel,
We have already warned user 01_cum2cum and we have set his entire site to private viewing. If he still doesn’t fix his site and comply with the regulations, we will immediately take down his site.
Thank you again for your concerned feedback.
Comment by leah — September 19, 2008 @ 12:24 am
Hi again. Are you really serious on sticking to your rules of no posting of pornographic materials? Site 01_cum2cum once again post an explicit photo
as primary picture of his site. This time a woman licking a penis. If you can’t do anything about it, i might as well send an email to one of tv stations to exposed such kind of act. Im really disappointed the way things roll in mobilemo. It’s getting dirty.
Comment by Denver — September 20, 2008 @ 3:36 am
Hi Denver, we’ve taken down his profile picture and given him final warning. We will take down the site if he still does not comply. We hope you understand that we also have to give due warning before taking down a site. Thank you again for your feedback.
Comment by leah — September 22, 2008 @ 12:52 am