06/08/2026
Social media has changed the way people interact with one another in ways never thought imaginable.
Not only has it allowed us to communicate and share with people all over the world, but it also comes with its own etiquette that not everyone is familiar with.
Below detail are some of the most essential social media etiquette points that individuals should follow to uphold their online reputation.
Guidelines for personal use
1. Don’t share overly important information.
People turn to social media as a way to share and receive news, ideas, items of interest, and opinions from all over the world.
Generally speaking, when people do share very personal information, it may come across as attention-seeking or an imbalance in their personality.
2. Don’t “wall of text” people
It is best to refrain from posting overly lengthy posts or photos of you at breakfast (which one of our friends is prone to do when she goes on holiday).
Remember, an economy of words and photos is always preferable over too many.
3. Don’t leave messages as seen.
If you don’t feel like talking to someone, be upfront about it and tell them. Although some people may feel uncomfortable doing this, most would agree it’s preferable than being ghosted.
Another response is to send them a plausible reason for not responding, such as feelings a bit unwell, busy with meetings or family, etc.
4. Be polite.
One of the major complaints people have when engaging in social media is people are often rude or offensive.
This effect is magnified when engaging in some form of social media where your face and name are not attached to your account.
5. Don’t overuse hashtags.
While hashtags are useful and allow us to find content relevant to the topic we are looking up, overuse of hashtags is both annoying and makes the offender appear childish.
6. Use spell check.
Poor spelling or grammar, something many people find annoying or unsettling.
