Youths (under 18)
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 can start small, through rude comments, 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. Just like in real life, how you express yourself online matters. Behind a screen, messages, comments and posts can be easily misunderstood, and what may seem like a joke to you could hurt someone else.
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, ask yourself 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 their permission
Be kind
Be mindful of your tone, avoid sarcasm or harsh language
Do not join in negative behaviour, even liking or sharing hurtful content can contribute to harm
What is an upstander?
An upstander is someone who takes safe and appropriate action when they see something wrong online. This may 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 wellbeing. When people witness online harassment and choose to stay silent, it can give the person causing harm more confidence to continue. The person affected may feel alone and powerless.
By being an upstander, you:
Show that online harassment is not acceptable and help prevent it from continuing
Support people who may feel hurt or alone
Help create a safer and kinder online community
How can you be an upstander?
You do not have to confront others directly if you do not feel safe. There are different ways to help:
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 speak with a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher or counsellor
Speak up when it is safe to do so
Let others know that harmful behaviour is not okay
Encourage respectful interactions
Report harmful content or behaviour and seek help
Use platform tools to report bullying, harassment or inappropriate posts
Talk to a trusted adult if the situation feels serious or unsafe
What should you do in these situations?
You disagree with someone’s opinion online and want to respond. What should you do?
It is okay to have different opinions, but how you respond matters.
Keep your response respectful and focus on the issue, not the person
Avoid using harsh or sarcastic language
Think about how your words might be interpreted
If the conversation becomes heated, consider stepping away
Someone in your group chat keeps making jokes about another person, but that person seems okay with it. Should you still be concerned and step in?
Just because someone laughs along does not always mean they are truly okay. Sometimes, people go along with it to avoid awkwardness or more teasing.
Here are some ways you can help:
Check in privately with the person being joked about and ask how they really feel, and let them know you are there if they need support
When the jokes start to feel mean or repetitive, it’s okay to speak up and say something like, “Let’s not go there.”
Steer the chat in a different direction to reduce attention on the person being targeted
Reach out for support by talking to someone you trust, such as a parent, teacher or counsellor
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.