Etiquette for Technology

Cell Phones and Text messaging

Have you ever been in a public area and someone’s phone constantly rings or the ring is so loud and annoying, you can’t even think straight. Almost everyone has a cell phone and during today’s times, it’s almost impossible to go without one. However, there are some general rules that should be followed for proper use of a cell phone and so that you won’t be one of those “annoying” people.

The rules are:

  • Avoid taking phone calls when going to a business meeting or professional function
  • Do not set your ring tone too loud – you are the only one that needs to hear it
  • Maintain a distance when talking on the phone in public (10 feet from everyone)
  • Avoid talking on the phone while driving and if you do use an earpiece
  • Keep conversations brief unless you are at home or have time to talk
  • Don’t “multi-task” if it is not necessary – don’t talk on the phone while doing other important things such as work, school, and going to the bank, etc.
  • Don’t send bad news through a text
  • Keep text short and sweet
  • Check the recipient’s number before sending the text
  • Don’t text and drive
  • Don’t replace all communication with text

Internet (Net-etiquette)

The Internet is a great source of information, but not all that information is good. So in order to ensure safe use of the Internet, these rules should be taken into consideration

The rules are:

  • Do not give out personal information, the Internet is public and what you put on the Internet will be viewed by many people.
  • Use your password and login only, if required.
  • Never use someone else’s password.
  • Do not give your password out to others.
  • Log off each time you use the computer, if required.
  • Do not copy work, and if work is used as a source then you must site it
  • In work and school settings, do not download programs without approval of a supervisor or technology department.
  • Learn to search safely online for content you need and to evaluate the quality of the sources and the value of the content you find online.
  • Buy an anti-virus packer.
  • Don’t meet someone that you have only met through the Internet.
  • Do not visit chat rooms if at all possible
  • If something looks suspicious, then avoid it completely.

E-mail

This is a wonderful way to communicate, but once again there are things that should be monitored.

The rules are:

  • E-mail should not be used during work or class time unless needed for the project or job.
  • Read e-mail before you send it.
  • Double check who you are sending the email to.
  • Don’t open an email if you don’t know who it’s from and it’s not something you can trust.
  • Write meaningful subject lines.
  • Keep business emails quick and to the point.
  • If someone says “pass this on to everyone you know” don’t.
  • Do not meet someone that you only have talked to through email.

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