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.”

Sources: http://source.southuniversity.edu/tech-etiquette-rules-using-good-manners-with-your-devices-132068.aspx#sthash.fikA1kGU.dpuf