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Etiquette

7 essential rules of social media etiquette

How many of these rules have you broken?

WHETHER IT’S A drunken tweet, a self-deprecating Facebook status or an unnecessary hashtag, there are an endless number of ways to annoy your friends and followers on the various social networking sites.

To help you all avoid future embarrassment, we’ve come up with these essential rules for proper social media etiquette.

1. Calm down with the friend requests.


(Raffi Asdourian/Flickr)

You don’t want to be that person who sends a friend request to someone on Facebook the day after you first meet them, or worse, on the day you meet them. You also run the risk of getting a humiliating “do I know you?” message if they don’t remember. Awkward.

2. Use hashtags sparingly and appropriately.

When used correctly, a hashtag can be a handy tool for connecting your thoughts and opinions with a wider discussion. Or for satirical effect, #LOL.

3. Never tweet under the influence of alcohol. A famous news anchor might see it and disapprove…

Or you’ll admit to doing things you wouldn’t normally have told people about:

4. Liking your own Facebook status is absolutely forbidden.

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(Image: Someecards.com)

5. Constantly  requesting people tweet back at you or RT is a bit desperate, love.

6. Quit it with the vague comments that are obviously directed at a particular person.

Everyone knows what you’re doing, including the person you’re directing it at.

7. Keep your soppy relationship stuff to yourself.

No one else wants to hear about the fact that it’s your half monthiversary or that you’ve just discovered that broccoli is also your boyfriend’s favourite vegetable.

Add to the list in the comments below…

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