We have an established set of ethical rules for our professional and business conduct, but how applicable are these guidelines in the online world?
Thinking online communications aren’t serious, unlike what we say in written correspondence or at meetings, is a common fallacy. While it’s true most online chatter is often more informal and relaxed, we are still being held to professional standards whichever forum we use.
Many people treat what they put online as something similar to what you’d say over a coffee or after work drink, the problem is that most of what you do online can be endlessly copied and forwarded to others, as we see in the Wikileaks controversy. This makes it a very different medium to the spoken, informal social networks we have outside of the Internet.
We should also remember this isn’t just about social media tools like LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook; it’s about any communication you carry out online such as using email, Internet chat, making comments on blogs or posting on public and private web forums.
In many ways the online rules are similar to the standards we expect in the offline business world, but because of the nature of the web, the emphasis is often different.
Private stays private
A private conversation has to stay private. What someone says to you in a private message or posts to a private forum – such as a locked Facebook page, an email or a direct massage – should never be repeated on the public Internet without the express permission of the person who sent it and those it was addressed to.
Don’t misquote
The remarkable thing about the Internet is how many people misquote others despite the fact most of what happens on the Internet is a written, or recorded, medium. If you’re going to quote someone, make sure you’re accurate.
Never plagiarise
Equally, you shouldn’t be too accurate. If you are going to extensively quote someone else, either link to their website or get permission to use their work. As the Cook’s Source scandal showed, we cannot assume that just because something is on the net we can just copy it.
Give credit where possible
Be generous in crediting other people for their work – linking to other people’s websites is not just a courtesy, it helps the web work better and adds value for all of us. It also improves your credibility.
Be open about affliations
Should you be commenting on issues you have a professional or financial interest in them then disclose them. On the web, people tend to be suspicious of those who may have vested interests so being open will enhance credibility.
Resist anonymity
There are good reasons to post anonymously however you should only do that when it’s necessary. Being open about who you are improves your reputation and credibility. We’ve looked at the risks and benefits of online anonymity previously
Be polite
There is a school of thought that claims manners aren’t necessary online. This isn’t true. You will quickly shred your credibility by being aggressive, attacking people and using foul language.
Don’t go overboard
If you get angry, take a deep breath and relax. Think about what you’re saying and if you have to post something angry, do it the following day when you’ve had time to think about it.
The idea that the online world is somehow separated from the rest of our lives is false. How we behave online has real consequences in the physical world as we can ruin our careers, be sued or even go to jail for things we say online.
Our online ethical behaviour should follow that of the physical world. If we wouldn’t do it on the street, in our meeting rooms or in front of our mothers then we shouldn’t do it online.