Net culture and language
Over the last 40 years the internet has evolved its own distinct culture and language.
This shapes how people are expected to behave and communicate when interacting online.
Just as when visiting a different city or country, it’s important to understand and abide by the rules of conduct if you want to be accepted as a ‘Netizen’, a citizen of the web.
A shortened form of Network Etiquette, Netiquette refers to the process of showing common courtesy and respect, and behaving in a socially acceptable way on the internet. Just as you’re expected to behave appropriately in a classroom, at home or at work, you’re expected to behave respectfully on the internet or face the consequences.
When communicating in person or on the phone, it’s surprising how much of what we say – and what we mean – is conveyed by our body language and tone, compared to the words we use. For example, think of how many different meanings there are for the words ‘OK’ or ‘brother’ depending on how you say them.
When we email or chat online, we can’t see someone else’s movements and facial expressions or hear their voices, making it much easier to misunderstand the intention of someone’s words. To help make this clearer, internet users have invented emoticons – sometimes known as smilies – which are used to communicate the emotion behind the words.
As with SMS on mobile phones, internet users have developed a set of abbreviations to words and phrases to quickly and clearly communicate what people are feeling or doing.