We all make the odd faux pas on social media from time to time, but most slip-ups are avoidable.
A new study has helped reveal the best ways to avoid annoying people on the internet.
It’s dubbed the ‘etiquette of modern communication’, and is based on a survey of nearly 2,000 adults.
According to the research, we send a staggering 11,315 texts each year, as well as 1,092 picture messages. That equals plenty of opportunity to make a mistake.
Here are 17 ways to (apparently) stay in the good books of friends, followers, and people you don’t even know:
1. Don’t private message someone you don’t know
2. Never hide your view history from your partner
3. Don’t over-share on Facebook
4. Don’t chat someone up via LinkedIn or any professional platform
5. Don’t look through your partner’s phone
6. Don’t post to social media when emotional
7. Don’t ‘reply all’ to a group message
8. Never send a text or message in anger
9. Never send a text or message when drunk
10. Never post social media when drunk
11. Don’t put kisses on texts or emails to clients or work colleagues
12. Don’t gossip about people on text or social media
13. Always text or message if you’re going to be late
14. Always call work rather than text if you are going to be off sick
15. If a friend is a good friend, wish them happy birthday by text, not Facebook
16. Never end a relationship by text or social media
17. Don’t ever text bad news
Don’t be this guy
The research, which was carried out by Ginger Research and BT Mobile in January, also found that half of us prefer to stay in touch with friends digitally.
What’s more, around 80% of those surveyed admitted that they have friends they wouldn’t speak to if it weren’t for social media.
Related: Best Android Apps 2016
And a further 72% of us believe social media has “strengthened” our friendships.
“By nature, humans are social animals,” explains Dr Peter Collett, a former Oxford University lecturer who helped conduct the study. “Given that so much of our enjoyment is linked to other people, it’s hardly surprising that we invest so much time and effort into keeping in touch with friends and acquaintances.”
The study also revealed that one in 10 of us share upwards of 50 videos per week, and that Facebook is our favourite way to “keep our cyber friendships alive”.
Do you break any of these golden rules for social media? Do you even know what Facebook is? Let us know in the comments.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
