Digital age etiquette tips for Facebook faux pas and texting trip ups
Some survival tips for this digital age of social media and new technology.
This is part of the cover story package on civil discourse in the Mar. 5 weekly edition of The Christian Science Monitor.
Joanne Ciccarello/Staff
Cellphone Usage
Do: Keep your phone on vibrate or silent mode in public or the workplace – no one needs to hear your cool, new "Star Wars" ring tone.
Don't: Keep your Bluetooth, oh so useful while driving, on and in your ear when not on the phone.
Social Networking Sites
Do: Use your "friending" power– and privacy settings – wisely. Be aware of who can see what. Your "sick day" will be less believable if co-workers know your status is "party's in Vegas!"
Don't: Post important information – deaths, weddings, pregnancies – instead of calling friends and family individually. This goes for breakups, too! Don't be that ex.
Text Messaging
Do: Make sure you're texting the right number. It's an easy mistake, with uncomfortable consequences.
Do: Respond to texts as you would in a face-to-face conversation; the same rules apply.
Don't: Send a text when engaged face to face with someone else. Feel free to excuse yourself if it's important – but we can totally tell you're texting behind that menu!
Don't: Use obnoxious, unclear abbreviations in work-related messages. Your co-workers are not cryptologists and will not be amused.
Sources: collegecandy.com, sherweb.com, emilypost.com, Robert Half