"Netiquette" Lines Are Blurred
By: Abilene Midday / Kimberly Suiters, WRC
Updated: April 28, 2009
Learning proper etiquette, like which fork to use or where to place your elbows, for many, is a practice from the past.
But some say there's a whole new type of etiquette that people need to learn.
Etiquette on social networking sites like Facebook.
Etiquette online, or netiquette, specifically when using sites like Facebook with so many new users, young and old, many agree the lines of what's appropriate are becoming blurred.
Social media expert Michael Pranikoff says people often post things that are inappropriate like details about their job, even medical problems.
Another type of update that can get Facebookers in trouble, the relationship status.
Pranikoff says if you plan to let people know whether you're single, engaged, married, or even divorced, Facebook probably isn't the best way to do it.
You don't want to offend family or close friends.
Every status update is broadcast through a newsfeed to everyone connected to you.
That's way Pranikoff says you need to be careful about who you include in your network of friends.
Many find that co-workers, bosses, and even parents trying to be their friend a problem.
Especially if you're trying to keep your social life separate from work and family.
Employers are even using it to screen job applicants.
Pranikoff says use Facebook's privacy settings to filter what certain friends can see on your page.
His number one rule of thumb for Facebookers: Don't post something you wouldn't want your mom to see, that you wouldn't want your boss to see.







