Like most face-to-face interactions, online interactions also have a set of dos and don’ts, of which people should be mindful. Some would like to call it social media etiquette–though, let’s set things straight. Etiquette isn’t something like the law you could go to jail for if you break it. However, it is just best to do them anyway, especially to people who matter to you.
You might be here because you want to know more about these unsaid rules. Not to worry because we gotcha! Today, we’re covering five dos and don’ts that you should remember when interacting on social media. These tips include acknowledging messages using the Hand Covering Face emoji and asking permission before calling someone
1. Never Seen-Zone Anyone
Unless you’re new on social media, we’re pretty sure you’re already familiar with seen-zoning. It is the act of Seen-ing a message without leaving a reply. Seen-zoning is a huge No-No for many people because it comes across as rude and leaves the sender the impression that you’re ignoring them.
Send an Initial Reply
Indeed, they might understand that you are busy; however, it would be rash if you leave them seen-zoned for a day or much longer. Do it at your discretion since seen-zoning someone is risking the chance of them doing it to you. That said, avoid doing it to a good friend, a crush, or a partner–and if you ever seen-zone anyone because you happen to be busy, apologize and explain your reasons so they’d understand. Otherwise, they may feel neglected.
If you’re that busy, you may send something like this:
“Hey, I read your message. Please know that I’ll send my reply after work/as soon as I can!”
An initial reply like that will let them know that you acknowledge their message, they are worth responding to, and they can rest assured that you’ll get back to them later. It will be beneficial, especially when it’s a serious matter, as the message can lessen your friend’s anxiety.
Respond with Emojis
When responding to less serious messages, you can respond with emojis, too! Emojis can be very expressive, so utilize them if you feel lost for words. Say, if someone shocks you with some juicy gossip, being coy by sending the Hand Covering Face emoji should work–more so if you have nothing else to say.
2. React Before Sharing
There is an unsaid rule on Facebook wherein you should leave a Reaction before you share a post from a friend. There may be nothing morally wrong with sharing a friend’s post without leaving a Like or any reaction, but it can be a pet peeve for some of your Facebook friends. It ticks them off because of a seemingly petty reason they may take seriously: When they see you sharing their Facebook post without reacting, it can send the notion that you don’t acknowledge that you saw the post from them.
It can sound petty, but if you believe it’s not a big deal, it won’t hurt to React to your friend’s shared post before sharing it on your timeline. This simple practice can help you avoid triggering other people’s pet peeves and enjoy your post-sharing experience with others.
3. Avoid Breaking a Reaction Streak
Imagine sharing a hilarious meme that gets 77 HAHA reactions or a puppy video with 77 Heart reactions on Facebook. How would you feel if your English teacher broke that streak by leaving a Like reaction? It kind of hurts, right?–that in a sea of Heart or HAHA reactions, there’s one little blue Thumbs-Up that just really had to ruin it for you.
Don’t be that person! Much like reacting before sharing a friend’s post, this Facebook etiquette can seem incredibly petty to others. In the same way, you are likely to annoy your Facebook friends, especially if you do it to them too frequently. So, what’s the golden rule? If you don’t want to make bad blood, don’t break someone’s Reaction streak or don’t react at all! Otherwise, your Facebook contact might put you on their Restricted List, so you won’t see their posts anymore and ruin their streaks. The choice is yours!
4. Say Sorry
Apologizing is a fundamental practice of human decency, so it’s also good to do it on social media. Saying sorry is a way of being sensitive to someone you may have caused an inconvenience.
Just like saying sorry when you have seen-zoned someone, there are times when it doesn’t hurt to apologize. So, in which scenarios should you always say sorry? The first example would be when messaging someone during an ungodly hour. Say it’s 3 AM when you thought of asking a friend where they got their new car tires. It can be a little rude asking them straight up! What you can do is craft your message like this:
“Hey, I’m sorry for messaging this late. Feel free to respond in the morning, though. I was wondering where you got your new car tires! :D”
Another scenario could be when responding late to a message. Just say something simple like: “Sorry about the late reply! I was swamped at work when you messaged me. :)”
You can do this, too, when communicating with officemates while working from home.
See the difference that your reply will always seem favorable whenever you show some sensitivity.
5. Ask Permission Before Calling Someone
More than ten years ago, making and receiving phone calls was more common than today. Perhaps it’s because we haven’t learned to utilize social media yet. Today, however, it’s more common to leave messages than make phone calls–especially when it’s outside of work or there’s no emergency. Whether it’s an actual phone call or a voice call on social media, ringing someone without a heads up can cause them anxiety.
Even if it’s an emergency, try to message the person you’re calling and mention the reason. It would help them emotionally or mentally prepare for the conversation, and you can expect better chances for them to take your call. Asking for permission is a sign of respect to the other person, which they will surely appreciate.
Conclusion
It’s always interesting to see new unsaid rules people follow on social media. A lot of them make sense, though some seem quite weird or petty. Even though some dos and don’ts seem shallow, it doesn’t hurt to be mindful of being considerate and sensitive to your coworkers, friends, and loved ones. We hope these tips will guide you in your future interactions on social media!
