Henry G. Izatt Middle School Library

The grade 8 classes spent some time brainstorming etiquette rules for situations involving technology, and this is what they came up with. 


Online Gaming (Xbox Live etc.)

• Don't be rude! Interact kindly.
• Don't scream or swear into the mic.
• Don't be elitist.
• Don't rage. Stay calm.
• Be positive and supportive to the other participants. 
• Don't ask for personal information.
• Don't hack or mod!
• Don't mute just one person or exclude people.
• Keep the background noise down.
• Giving spoilers about the game is rude.
• Don't trash talk.

Be aware!! The reality of gaming online is that you will run into people who shout in frustration, troll, swear, and believe there are no rules. 

Leaving Blog or Youtube Comments

• No spamming or trolling.
• Don't be a bully.
• Leave a comment that is related to the video / blog post or that asks a question.
• If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!

FaceTime / Skype

• Make sure the area you are in is neat. People can see it through the camera!
• Stay in front of the camera.
• Limit how much you phone and Skype/Facetime.
• Be aware of the time difference if you are Skyping/Facetiming another time zone.
• Watch your language.
• Keep  your language appropriate.
• Dress appropriately!

Texting

• Be polite.
• Don't swear.
• Don't send hate messages.
• Don't text in class unless your teacher gives the ok.
• Don't disturb people while texting.
• Don't start unnecessary gossip / drama.
• No texting while driving!
• Don't text during dinner.
• Respect your parents rules about texting.
• Don't sext.
• Don't send pictures of other people without permission.
• You don't have to use full sentences or even spell entire words. Text speak is ok!
• Emoticons are cool, but don't send mixed emoticons. 
• When you are in a group of people, be careful not to exclude others by texting to some members of the group and not others.
• Don't ignore the people around you to text!
• Keep your text alert on silent mode when appropriate.

Participating in Social Media like Facebook and Twitter

• Be nice!
• Only say things that you would say to someone's face.
• Don't insult people or participate in cyber bullying.
• If you don't want your parents to see it, don't post it!
• No foul language.
• Get permission before you post photos of other people!

Using Cell Phones at a Movie, Wedding etc.

• At school, your cell phone should be off until lunch, or breaks, because it could distract you from learning.
• At a movie, turn if off because it can distract other people while they are watching the movie. If you need to talk to someone, go to the lobby.
• If your job requires you to use a cell phone, you should keep it on, otherwise turn it off while at work.
• At a wedding, you should turn it off because you don't want your phone alerts to detract from the event. During the wedding party/dance it is ok to have it on in case of an emergency, but you still shouldn't be talking on it all the time.
• During a birthday party you shouldn't even bring it. If you do, turn it off or keep it in silent mode if you are worried about needing to be contacted in case of an emergency. 
• If you are using your phone to take pictures at a wedding or special event, that is ok, but make sure your phone ringer is off.
• In general, it is polite to go into another room away from the event to speak on your phone if  you really need to.
• If you are speaking on your cell phone in a public place, keep your voice down! 

During Library Skills classes, we have been discussing etiquette rules for technology use. Here are 5P's rules for using technology the polite way. 






Texting

• Stop texting if someone is talking to you.
• Use appropriate language while texting / No bad language.
• Don't text during a movie.
• Don't text during class.
• Turn off the alert so you don't disturb people.
• Don't text while you drive or walk!
• Don't text too long. You'll melt your brain!
• Don't text when you have visitors.
• Don't bully via text.
• Use manners like please and thank-you.
• Don't text people that are sitting right next to you!

Sending an Email

• Don't use bad language.
• Don't talk about inappropriate topics.
• Don't email people you don't know.
• No cyber bullying!

Cell Phones at the Movies

• Turn the phone off before the movie starts.
• Don't text.
• Turn off the sound / ringer.
• Dim the light.
• Don't talk on the phone during the movie. Leave if you have too.

Technology in a Restaurant

• It is distracting when you use technology at the table!
• Leave the table if you have to take a call.
• Put your phone on mute.
• Why go for dinner if you are going to text the person across the table from you?

Printing at School

• Don't print inappropriate photos or pictures.
• Don't waste paper!
• Email your project / paper to your teacher instead of printing it.

XBox Live or Online Gaming

• No bad language!
• Try to be the host so you can look out for swears, and ban people using bad language.
• Play by the rules.
• No rage for the little things!
• Don't kick the game console.
• Don't play for too long!
• Find a quiet place (no distracting noises). 

The following videos are about technology and how it is changing etiquette and social norms. Is Technology making us impolite?

Is Technology Killing Old Fashioned Etiquette?

Are Gadgets Making Us Rude?

What are the etiquette rules for texting, video conferencing, facebook, twitter, email, cell phone use, blogging, commenting on YouTube and other technology related activities?


Leave a comment and share what you think good technology etiquette looks like....

I see a few students starting to venture into the Twitterverse, so I thought I'd pass on a few tips for developing a good informational network, and for protecting your privacy.

1. Don't make your last name public. As an adult, I do list my last name publicly, but students should not disclose this information. 
2. Don't list your specific location. You don't know exactly who is out there, so keep your location private.
3. Use an icon, or non-identifying image as your avatar. 
4. Make your tweets private. There is a setting to make this possible. Go to your profile and click on ''settings,'' then scroll down and check the box that says ''Protect my tweets.'' This allows you to control who sees your tweets.
5. Choose who to follow carefully. Twitter is a great way to get news and can provide a really powerful network for learning if you follow the right people, but you also need to be aware that there are spammers and people with unknown intentions out there. 
6. Keep track of who is following you. You can block spammers and people you don't want from your followers list. 
7. Be careful of direct messages, and don't respond to people you don't know. If someone contacts you asking for personal information, don't give it to them, and tell an adult.
8. Never sign up for a Twitter account, or any other social media account without telling your parents or guardians.
9. Protect your online image. Twitter is a very public place, and anything you say could be passed on to others. The internet is like a permanent bulletin board! What you post out there, stays out there.

Everyone has a digital footprint these days. Your digital
footprint is made up of the information you share online through pictures, videos and posts (active), and also through the information that others share about you (passive). 

It is important to protect your privacy and your reputation, and keep track of what is being said or posted about you.

 It is also important to respect the privacy of others, and not post things that would be damaging to another person’s reputation. 
 
Since we all have a digital footprint, how can we make sure that it will be a positive digital footprint?

What online activities can help you create a positive digital footprint?

An example of a blog that helps to create a positive digital footprint.

Hannah Taylor (The Ladybug Foundation) has a positive digital footprint! 

Are you aware of your digital footprint? What does your digital footprint say about you?