Youth Netiquette

The web is great! On the web, you can hang out with your friends, search for information, play games, get to know new people and exchange thoughts. Everyone also has certain rights on the Net that must not be violated. Read through these rights and think about whether you use the Net in a smart and safe way.

I have a right to privacy

Who reads your information? Consider what kind of text and pictures you want to release to a worldwide audience. Think particularly hard before giving out your name, phone number, home address or e-mail address online. Once you upload a piece of text or photograph onto the internet, you may never be able to take it back.

Can someone guess your password? If someone knows your password, he or she may read your information, shop online or send messages in your name. Your password is for your eyes only, not even your best friend’s.

I have the right to be left alone

Who do you talk to? Not everyone is nice, and it is easy to con people in online conversations. So be careful about who you talk to online and what information you submit about yourself.

Do you want to meet your online friends? Many friendships that start on the internet continue in the real world. However, you should take someone you trust along with you for your first meeting, and arrange the meeting in a public place. You can never be sure what kind of person you are meeting.

What about the right to tell someone? If something seems suspicious or unpleasant to you, do not hesitate to talk to other people about it. You do not have to feel guilty if you run into some unpleasant material on the web. Tell your parents or other adults and the site webmaster about any suspicious material.

Make sure that you know how to bust a bully. Name-calling, sending out baseless rumours, conning people, stealing passwords, unauthorised use of someone else’s photographs and discriminatory comments are bullying. Tell your parents or other adults and the site webmaster about any cases of bullying.

I will not be conned

Who is behind a piece of information? Assess the credibility of online information: material that seems factual may in fact be an advertisement and text that looks like a university study may be sheer nonsense.

Is this too good to be true? If some offer or service sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always ask your parents for permission before buying anything!

Other web users have feelings, too

Real people? The people you meet online are real people, even though they may use a nickname. Treat people the same way online as you would in the real world.

Good manners are attractive? Behave in an appropriate, tolerant and friendly manner towards other web users -- and they will treat you well, too.

I have a right to my creation

Who owns rights? It is forbidden to publish any piece of work online without the permission of its creator. Pieces of work include photographs, poems, posters, album covers, celebrity photos and songs.

“Can I place this on the internet?” Ask your friend for permission before putting pictures of him or her on the web. Do not distribute other people’s personal information or other private matters online. Also, remember that it is wrong to use another user’s username.

These rights have been drafted in co-operation with internet service providers, service providers, organisations and the authorities.

Updated 05.02.2010