Facebook Netiquette: How to Use this Social Media Tool

Like any social media tool, Facebook can be used and abused. Although certainly not an Internet law, here’s a few do’s and don’ts when interacting with others on Facebook.

DO’s

1. Add value. If you think a news story or personal event in your life would be of interest to your Facebook friends, share the link, photo, status update, etc.

2. Be civil. Agree to disagree and move on.

3. Create 2-way conversations where possible. A monologue is boring to everyone except the talker.

4. Treat others how you want to be treated. Reciprocal good manners ensure that Facebook doesn’t become another MySpace.

DONT’s

1. Post anything that could get you in trouble with your friends, family, or employer. Assume that what you post (comments, pictures, etc. ) will be available for the public to view 25 years from now even if Facebook doesn’t exist. If the content could cost you a business or personal relationship that you have or may want in the future, don’t post it online.

2. Spam your friends with requests to play games on Facebook. For example, if a person has been on Facebook for more than a month, chances are he’s received at least a dozen requests to join “Mafia Wars.” Either he’s joined or doesn’t want to.

3. Ask your friends to join causes like “Save Mother Earth for Vegan  Children” or attend events like “Worldwide MLM Wealth Domination Mastermind Webinar.” If you think the cause is worthwhile, support it. Want to attend an event, do so. However, note that many of these ’causes’ and events are nothing more than list-building devices for Internet marketers. Unless a cause is directly affiliated with a reputable charity that exists outside of Facebook, you’re probably wasting your time and that of  everyone you spammed with invitations to join.

If you can think of any other Facebook netiquette rules, feel free post post them here as a comment or e-mail them to me.

About the Author

With an advanced international law degree from Georgetown University and more than 15 years of real world legal experience, Attorney Mike Young is President of the Internet Ethics Council and creator of Website Legal Forms Generator software. He helps entrepreneurs protect and grow their businesses online.

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