Counselor’s
Corner – February 4, 2016
“Technology
Etiquette”
By
Susan Causey, M.Ed.
My two-year-old granddaughter uses the iPad with
savvy. She knows how to find Peppa Pig, watch movies, and play games. Recently,
I was having dinner at their house, and as I was leaving her dad said, “Put
down the iPad. Look ‘Wu-Wu’ in the eye, and tell her goodbye.” Because she
loves and respects her daddy to the upmost, she did as he told her. I was
impressed. She had learned one of her first lessons in technology etiquette: It
is impolite to bury your nose in a device when people are there to communicate
with you in person.
Texting is used for brief transmission of facts. This can be very convenient,
but one must also be careful. The tone and inflection of one’s voice often
conveys as much in a communication as the words. If there is a chance the
message may be misunderstood, it’s best to call and speak with them personally.
The same holds true for email. It’s not a good idea to text or email
information which is emotional or too personal. A good rule of thumb is if you
wouldn’t say it to the person’s face, don’t text or email it. Likewise, if you
receive a digital communication and cannot answer quickly, you can show
consideration to the sender by letting them know you are working on it or
looking into it and will respond at length later.
Remember that anything which goes into cyberspace is permanent and public, even
if you have deleted it. Don’t be fooled into thinking your message or pictures
can never be retrieved. They may have already been copied and saved or sent to
places unknown.
As relates to cell phones, there are specific times and places when one should
NOT be on a cell phone:
·
While
driving
·
In
the checkout line, as it slows the process down for everyone.
·
During
class - This is inconsiderate to the teacher, and also to other students trying
to concentrate on the lesson
·
During
a religious service of any kind - wedding, funeral, worship service, etc.
·
With
family and friends - Don’t miss out on life because you’re interacting with
somebody else virtually
·
Any
public event where it might distract others from concentrating - such as
listening to a speaker, watching a play, or seeing a movie
·
A
nice restaurant
Social media interaction is commonplace today, and with it come rules for
etiquette and common sense. Everyone should be extra cautious not to post their
whereabouts or that of others until after an event is over. Just as in “real
life,” it is always thoughtful to be considerate of the feelings of others.
People can feel unwanted just as quickly on Facebook or Instagram as when you
distribute party invitations in a room and leave specific persons out. (One of
my friends calls Facebook “Fake book.”) Is anyone’s life really as perfect as
how some want theirs to appear? Facebook should not be used for hawking or
gloating, but for sharing.
The key to any social etiquette is “treating others the way you would like to
be treated.”
