But in dealing with the internet and its new means of communication, new problems arise. Rules are usually only inofficial, with many people thinking that they're completely anonymous and able to do as they please. That it isn't actually as simple as that is another matter, this is about ethics on the net.

The internet presents whole new possibilities as opposed to the old means of communication. Here, there is no humiliation to be expected as a "nerdy, glasses-wearing geek", such things can easily be hidden. In the net nobody has to be scared of (psychological) abuse; in the world wide web, you can be free and say what you think. And if you're being harassed, feel bored of someone or don't like them, you can easily use the ignore function included in many web applications. These are a few examples of the "freedom" in the internet.

But it isn't like this and it mustn't be like this. Many people act that way. Especially people who have (social) problems in real life find a refuge in the web. Here, they can speak freely, give vent to their anger, mercilessly ignore and insult people and give free rein to their depressions. They can use a "power", that would possibly never be available to them in real life. An unpopular freak, a David, can say things to a giant which he would never dream of saying in real life, such as "You're a pain in the neck, get lost! I'll ignore you!". On the net, the power balance shifts.

These reactions are unacceptable. It simply can't allowed that someone abuses his "power", there are ethics, which - just as in real life - must be complied with.

People who lord it over others on the net often show who they are in real life; you only harm yourself by not respecting the ethics.

These are some things that should be observed:

• Insults are offensive. They may be meant only as a joke, but the other person might feel differently about it!
• Politeness never goes amiss. There are also things which can be done wrong unintentionally.
  • (Several) exclamation marks after each sentence or writing in capital letters only are regarded as shouting on the net.
  • Don't just ignore other people's questions.
  • Turn down people politely. "You're pissing me off, get lost!" is extremely rude and condescending.
  • If you're chatting to someone personally, you shouldn't just say "AFK" during the conversation, but rather choose something like "Sorry, I'm going to the toilet"
  • Don´t irritate others too much. Be aware of the signs if they politely ask you to stop
  • Declarations like "No time!" accompanied by a change of status to invisible or similar actions are crude.

If everyone kept to the rules, the internet would offer ideal communication, but it just isn't like that. Help to change to world by being an example to others!

Translated by rotw