Netiketti

Netiketti, or netiquette in Finnish usage, denotes the set of norms and expectations for civil behavior in online communication. It covers how people interact in email, forums, social media, chat rooms, and other digital environments, aiming to promote respectful, productive conversations and reduce misunderstandings.

The concept of netiquette originated from the English term netiquette, popularized in the 1990s by Virginia Shea and others; in Finnish discourse the term netiketti has been integrated into discussions of digital literacy and online safety.

Common guidelines include thinking before posting; respecting others' privacy and consent; avoiding harassment, hate speech, and flaming; not sharing private information without permission; proper attribution of others' ideas; using clear subject lines and non-inflammatory language; avoiding spamming and excessive self-promotion; following platform-specific rules; and reporting abuse.

In Finland, netiketti is often taught as part of digital literacy in schools and workplaces; it reflects broader norms of respectful communication and privacy protection in Finnish society, while platform differences and global online culture create varying expectations.

As online environments evolve with new technologies and communities, netiketti remains a living standard, adapting to concerns about misinformation, data protection, and inclusive participation.