A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World

13 Social Media Etiquette Rules You Really Need to Stop Breaking

Sitting in front of a screen is a freeing feeling, but just because you can say what you want doesn't mean you should.

1 / 13
Workspace with touch pad and open laptop computer with empty screen space for your advertising text. Modern net-book and digital tablet lying on a wooden table in office interior.
ZoFot/Shutterstock

Don’t say it online if you wouldn’t say it in person

“Shielded behind a computer screen, some people forget they are interacting with other human beings, saying things online that they would never say in person,” observes etiquette expert Diane Gottsman. But the reality is, social media is social interaction. It’s not just like real life; it is real life. So act accordingly by asking yourself before posting anything: Would I be comfortable saying this face to face?

2 / 13
Student writing notes sitting on a couch beside a window at home. Young man studying with laptop and books on table.
Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

Don’t behave differently online than you would person

“In the ‘real’ world, would you randomly approach an acquaintance and ask them for a favor?” asks etiquette expert Margaret Page. “Would you constantly talk about yourself without any regard for others around you? Would you jump into a conversation with strangers without introducing yourself? Accept a gift without saying ‘thank you’?” By extension, these behaviors are just as rude online, says Page. Find out about 10 weird effects of social media on your brain.

3 / 13
African american business man using a tactile tablet over white background - Black people
Samuel Borges Photography/Shutterstock

Don’t tag indiscriminately

Twitter notifies people who have been tagged, so unless you want to hurt someone (and why would you want to do that?), don’t tag people in negative mentions. If you need a refresher on the real (and polite) purpose of tagging, the website Business Success Edge offers a useful guide:

  • to provide a link to someone’s social media profile
  • to make your post visible to the person you tagged
  • to make your post visible to the contacts of the person you tagged

Before you tag someone, ask which of these reasons applies. If the answer is “none of them” or “to call them out,” skip the tag.

4 / 13
Young man in bed waking up with cellphone at home
F8 studio/Shutterstock

Don’t publicly engage with trolls

Some people online live to get a rise out of others. They’ll state outrageous opinions or personally insult your pictures and profile. When you feel you’re being trolled on social media, don’t get drawn into a public spat. There’s a saying online: Don’t feed the trolls. Ignoring the person is the easiest way to get them to stop; if the harassment continues, contact the moderators of the platform you’re using to intervene.

5 / 13
Young Caucasian worker typing on laptop while sitting in the office late at night. In background computer monitors.
Dusan Petkovic/Shutterstock

Create a separate account for your business contacts

Many jobs require a social media presence, point out the social media experts at Rocket Social. Just be sure to use a separate, new account for your work. Your employer would rather not have your friends linking to bizarre memes on the same account you conduct business (and do you really want your clients to see you drinking out of a coconut in your beachwear?). Even if your job doesn’t require you to be on social media, it’s a good idea to keep your business contacts separate from your friends. Make sure to avoid these 12 LinkedIn mistakes that could cost you your job.

6 / 13
cropped view of african american businessman typing on laptop in hotel room
LightField Studios/Shutterstock

Don’t try to “friend” people you don’t know

In the early days of social media, people sent random friend requests to strangers all the time. That’s not cool anymore, especially with the heightened concerns of privacy and being hacked. Even if you don’t mind friend requests from people you don’t know, you can’t assume others will feel the same way: “When sending a friend request, include a personal message of introduction,” advises Page.

7 / 13
Business african american man wear on black suit and glasses at office looking on mobile phone.
AS photo studio/Shutterstock

Stay offline when you’re angry

Gottsman makes the point that if you’re feeling mad at the world, give yourself some time to cool off before going online. Reacting in anger is always a bad idea. “This is true in any part of life, but especially on social media,” Gottsman writes. And if you have a complaint you want to get off your chest, pause, think, and then follow these rules for complaining on social media.

8 / 13
13 Social Media Etiquette Rules You Really Need to Stop Breaking
hurricanehank/Shutterstock

Take screenshots responsibly

A screenshot is a snapshot of something on your device’s screen—email, text messages, DMs. “When you are texting or emailing someone, the assumption is that it’s between the two of you,” notes Chelsea Klukas in Calgary Herald. “Posting a [screenshot of a] conversation without the other person’s consent is invasive and potentially detrimental to your relationship, whether personal or professional.” So don’t post unless the person has given you permission to—preferably in writing.

9 / 13
Bloggers together pointing finger on screen smartphone on background bokeh light in night city, group adult hipsters friends using in hands mobile phone closeup, street online wi-fi internet concept
Maria Savenko/Shutterstock

Don’t post photos of someone without permission

Just because someone allowed you to take their photo doesn’t mean they’re ready to have you post it. Online trends expert Scott Steinberg stresses that it’s always a good idea to get a person’s OK before you post a photo. If the setting is a public place—a bar, ski slopes, the beach—people don’t always have the legal right to privacy, but it’s nicer to seek their permission before posting.

10 / 13
20 Things You Do Before Bed That Sabotage Your Sleep
Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

Don’t forget to fact-check

“Spreading inaccurate information will quickly backfire,” warns Gottsman. “Be cognizant that whatever you put out there is open to scrutiny, accuracy, and truthfulness.” This is true when you’re blogging, vlogging, or podcasting original content, and even when you’re merely reposting. Good social media etiquette calls for some attempt at accuracy. Snopes is an excellent resource for fact-checking information people are passing around and for determining whether that viral post is actually true.

11 / 13
Closeup shot hands using laptop computer and internet, typing on keyboard, searching information, browsing. Freelancer copywriter working project, typing text, edit something. Remote job concept.
Oleksii Didok/Shutterstock

Share responsibly

Social media has transformed over the years, and there are new expectations about what you should (and shouldn’t) say. For instance, posting too many updates and photos doesn’t keep friends interested—it just clogs up their feeds. Pay attention to these other warning signs you’re oversharing on Facebook.

12 / 13
Partial view of a person with alcohol and a phone. Drinks and rests at home
PavelKant/Shutterstock

Don’t post when you’ve been drinking

Think drunk dialing is bad? Drunk posting magnifies the problem by precisely the number of people who have access to your social media. “Alcohol can get into your head, and it might lead you to post some things you don’t mean or things you don’t want other people to see,” notes Rocket Social. A good rule of thumb: If you’re too drunk to drive, you’re too tipsy to post on social media.

13 / 13
Stylish hipster girl chatting on mobile smart phone with her friend which she awaits before a photo session in the fashion studio, young blonde woman reviewing traffic in Internet via cell telephone
GaudiLab/Shutterstock

Just because you can post doesn’t mean you should

“It’s thrilling to know you can instantly share what’s on your mind,” Gottsman reminds us. “However, social media should not be used to publish an endless stream of rants, ramblings, and things you didn’t think through.” For instance, you’ll want to rethink these 11 photos you should never post on social media.

Lauren Cahn
Lauren Cahn is a New York–based writer whose work has appeared regularly on Reader's Digest and in a variety of other publications since 2008. She covers life and style, popular culture, law, religion, health, fitness, yoga, entertaining and entertainment. Lauren is also an author of crime fiction, and her first full-length manuscript, "The Trust Game," was short-listed for the 2017 CLUE Award for emerging talent in the genre of suspense fiction.