Digital Etiquette: Forget Please and Thank-You

By Lisa S

We can tweet in church, Instagram in class and text in public restrooms. But does this mean that this digital etiquette is socially acceptable?

I was inspired to discuss digital etiquette following an experience I had at a restaurant a few weeks ago. I saw a scene we are all too familiar with. A couple sitting at the table, enjoying their meals — both on their Smartphones. What frustrated me about seeing this was that I wasn’t frustrated at all. I have been that girl with that guy at that table. To me, this seemed perfectly normal, but I remember a time (not long ago) when I would have been bothered seeing a couple ignoring each other.

This got me thinking about the rules (or lack thereof) of Smartphone and modern technology etiquette. Especially with how it relates to students.

• Firstly, don’t use your cell phone in class. Your teacher can tell when you are sitting in class and your beady little eyes look downwards.  Chances are your teacher wants to be on his/her phone just as badly as you want to be on yours.
• Don’t assume everyone is as text savvy as you.
• Facebook is for you to add your friends, not your teachers. But teachers have friends. So, not surprisingly, teachers have Facebook too! Do not friend request your teacher! If you’re lucky, your teacher will decline. If you’re not so fortunate, your teacher may be laying his/her eyes on photos you would much prefer to remain between friends! (A friendly reminder from the Studentawards scholarship team that scholarship providers will likely Google you and may have access to your Facebook profile. *Gasp!* Keep it clean!)
• If you’re interviewing for a job or internship, never pick up your phone! It must be silent! That’s what voice mail is for…
• Only use your phone if you are ignoring the people around you. This advice comes from a modern etiquette expert, Anna Post of the Emily Post Institute. If there’s one thing you remember from my rant, let this be it!