As the New Year starts, it is hardly surprising that we are still working out what is socially appropriate and what isn’t in net etiquette.  Society is still developing their net etiquette skills and it became increasingly obvious in December of 2009, when  hundreds of Social Media Blogs were writing about the  “Etiquette Rules of Social Media.”  In 2010 we have more and more technology in our lives,  much of it is in our pockets, handbags, briefcases, and backpacks  as well as our homes, offices and cars.  My Mother taught me that sharing was good and yours probably taught you the same thing.  However in todays tech world of Social Media  it turns out Mother wasn’t always right!

On Twitter, anyone may follow anyone.  “By carefully curating the people you follow, Twitter becomes an always-on data stream from really bright people in their respective fields, whose tweets are often full of links to incredibly vital, timely information,” states David Carr of The New York Times. Sign up for TweetDeck and watch what millions of people say on Twitter.  A total strangers information become public.  Twitter is fun, a valuable marketing tool for business, however put a Twitter account into a Teens hands and it become dangerous.  As millions world-wide start twitter accounts,  in the hands of uneducated Twitter user tweets becomes socially dangerous.  Similar to the Facebook housewives of 2009,  you know the ones who did not understand the wall on Facebook.  Tweets become dangerous when in the hands of the not so smart.   A Twitter messages that you are meeting friends for dinner becomes International public information.  Sure, you may only have a few followers but your message can be retweeted by your followers.  Do you trust all your followers?  Do you know each one of them personally?   A locked twitter account assures the twitter account owner that their tweets are private and only to their followers.

As Michael Krigsman Ceo of  Asuret, Inc. states, “Twitter isn’t going away, and like all tool  it can be used for both good and evil.  Balancing Twitter’s dangers and benefits may not be easy, but you’d better start thinking about it today.” Corporate America can send out the wrong signals to millions when one twitter is analyzed by thousands in a matter of seconds. A tweet has the power to turn groups of bystanders into instant analysts.  Tweets can easily cause unintended, highly negative, consequences.  When it comes to Twitter, check your followers profile and what they are about.  Is it a legitimate website you are interested in?  Many Twitter accounts have no profile.  Ask yourself, what do I know about this person who wants to follow me or my business?  How many Twitter followers one has became a popularity contest, but like all popularity contest they are only great when you’re a silly teen.  As an Adult you better be armed with a full-time Public Relations person, if your tweet goes wrong.  This is the valuable lesson and Net Etiquette that corporate American is learning.

Like mother always taught you choose your friend wisely. Unless you know the follower personally research the people who follow you or you’re risking your information being shared.  Blocking and unfollowing followers is smart Net Etiquette.  Can you risk putting your personal thoughts out into the World?  Only if they are well thought, mannered,  polite, and informative.

Photo Credit: KiloBox Communique

In 2009 I set out to be the Net Etiquette Social Media Duchess

I felt a little responsible

I made the choice to preach Etiquette on the Net for the sake of respect, etiquette, and manners

I watched the world-changing around me Blackberry, iphone, and tweetdeck

I stood up to people

I stayed with people I should not have

I listened to people way below my social caliber

I smiled at rude behavior

I watched people complain and I stood back and watched

I saw the world change before me

I helped people learn Social Media in much in the way I taught my sister to ski

I helped a friend launch a book and she became a Social Media Sensation

And I became her RT, Share cheerleader

I preached to people to stop being competitive with others and  just try to be a better you

As @RevRun says, “I put a little Gratitude in my Attitude”

Perhaps I consider myself one of the leading Etiquette Ladies of  today which is why I write Net Etiquette

I don’t even twitter unless it is kind

And I am here to tell you Etiquette is nothing new

Neither is bad public Social Behavior

The Duchess of Devonshire during the 1784 election campaign famously traded kisses for votes on the hustings

While her handling of her public image was masterful, she tolerated the 18th-century England’s best-known love triangle.

She was desperate to please.  Which meant she was quite easily victimized.

No  different from today’s Society or is it?

In 2009 we had  Texting, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook  all bring attention quickly and at the risk of  our teens being victimized

Against all the odds, The Duchess of  Devonshire,  managed to regain her reputation and her social position while in her late thirties.

In 2010 Etiquette on the Net will play a large role and part of peoples reputation and social positions

In 2009 if you socially messed up, the odds of your reputation being regained will take a social media diva (hello)

So Be Polite, Manners Matter

Happy Net Etiquette in 2010!

This short Irish Tost is a alway proper Etiquette and good manners for any Holiday toast this Christmas.

Here’s wishing you more happiness.

Than all my words can tell,

Not just alone for Christmas but for all the year as well.