Whats App Etiquette We Must Know

Navigating the nuances of digital expression can be a rather complicated task. With the ever-dynamic nature of technology, it's difficult to keep ourselves up to date with the dos and dont’s.. Netiquette is often referred to as etiquette for the internet. These are not legally binding rules, but recommended for respectful and appropriate communication on the internet.

A. Your Whats App Profile

1. Put your picture as your Whats App profile picture. Avoid putting up images of your pets, flowers, the sky, and other random things.

2. The name you put on WhatsApp helps other people to recognise unsaved numbers. Put your full name, instead of adding emojis to it.

B. Personal Chat Etiquette

1. Send a message in one go. Every time you send a text, someone’s phone dings, so, try not to break them up in different messages.

2. Use universal abbreviations or don't use them at all. Not everyone is habitual to the usage of short forms.

C. Group Chat Etiquette

1. Abide by the group rules

2. Verify facts and sources of forwarded messages before posting them

3. A group is not the place for heated arguments, sarcastic comments, and political debates

D. Usage of Emojis & Gifs

1. Regardless of the situation, emojis or gifs are not the appropriate way of responding

2. We have grown from sign language for a reason, use words to convey your message.

3. All emojis have a certain meaning attached to them, avoid using the ones you don’t know about.

4. Emojis come across in text as short, dry, and dismissive and feel like the visual representation of someone half-heartedly saying something

E. Lastly, be mindful while texting someone. Ask yourself these questions before posting:

1. Is this relevant and on a topic that other group members can relate to?

2. Is this information necessary for hundreds of people in the chat right now?

3. Is this a good time to post?