Adults
Practise Good Netiquette and Be an Upstander to Prevent Online Harassment
Staying safe online
Navigating online risks
Your online behaviour affects both you and others. Online harassment often begins with small actions, such as rude remarks, teasing or careless sharing. Practising good netiquette helps prevent harm, while being an upstander helps stop it from escalating. Together, these actions create a safer and more respectful online space.
What is netiquette?
Netiquette, or internet etiquette, means behaving respectfully and responsibly online. As digital interactions lack tone and context, messages can easily be misinterpreted. What may seem harmless or humorous could be perceived as hurtful by others.
Practising good netiquette can help you:
Avoid hurting others unintentionally
Build positive relationships online
Prevent conflicts from escalating into online harassment
How can you practise good netiquette?
Think before you post
T.H.I.N.K. before sharing, consider if it is True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind
Give yourself time to cool down before sharing about a negative experience online
Respect others’ privacy and boundaries
Do not share someone’s photos, messages or personal information without consent
Be kind
Be mindful of your tone, avoid sarcasm or harsh language
Do not engage with harmful content, even through likes or shares
What is an upstander?
An upstander is someone who takes safe and appropriate action when they see something wrong online. This could include supporting someone who is being harassed online, reporting harmful content or speaking up respectfully when it is safe to do so.
Online harassment can be hurtful and damaging, with lasting impact on a person’s reputation, self-esteem and mental well-being. When harmful behaviour goes unchallenged, it may continue or escalate, leaving those affected feeling isolated.
By being an upstander, you:
Show that online harassment is not acceptable and help prevent it from continuing
Support people who may feel vulnerable or targeted
Help create a safer and kinder online community
How can you be an upstander?
You can act in ways that feel safe and appropriate:
Support the person being targeted
Send a kind message or check in with them
Let them know they are not alone and encourage them to seek help
Speak up when it is safe to do so
Call out harmful behaviour calmly and respectfully
Encourage respectful interactions
Report harmful content or behaviour
Use platform tools to report harassment or inappropriate posts
What should you do in these situations?
You disagree with someone’s opinion online and feel like responding. What should you do?
It is natural to have differing views, but how you respond can shape the tone of the conversation.
Keep your response respectful and focus on the issue rather than the individual
Avoid using harsh, sarcastic or offensive language
Consider how your words may be interpreted by others, especially in a public setting
If the discussion becomes heated or unproductive, consider stepping away
Someone in your work group chat keeps making jokes about another colleague, but that person seems okay with it. Should you still be concerned and step in?
Just because someone appears to go along with it does not always mean they are comfortable. Sometimes, people laugh it off to avoid awkwardness or further attention. Here are some ways you can respond:
Check in privately with the colleague to understand how they feel and let them know you are available if they need support
If the jokes become inappropriate or repetitive, it is reasonable to speak up and say something like, “Let’s keep things respectful.”
Redirect the conversation to reduce focus on the individual and steer the discussion back to a more appropriate topic
If the behaviour escalates, raise the issue with a supervisor or HR so it can be addressed appropriately
Preventing online harassment is not just about reacting when something happens — it starts with everyday actions. By practising good netiquette and being an upstander, you can help create a safer and more respectful online space.