5 tips: A lesson in social media etiquette

Forget knowing which fork to use at dinner (though you work your way in from the left, FYI). A law firm gives its advice for online networking to keep you out of court.

British law firm Bross Bennett issued a press release to urge people to remember their manners when it comes to playing on Twitter and Facebook, et al.

Sharon Bennett explains: “It’s important that everyone thinks about the possible consequences before they type. They don’t think about the impact of what they have done, and we have seen firsthand just how damaging the written word can be in a court of law, especially in the case of divorcing couples who send aggressive tweets, texts or emails in the heat of the moment. People need to remember that not only can these pour fuel on an already flaming relationship, they can later be used against them as written evidence. Both outcomes are hugely damaging.”

Here’s the Bross Bennett method to playing it smart in our social spaces:

1. Before you post or send anything that may be inflammatory or controversial, wait 24 hours, after which you’ll be able to consider what you’re writing more objectively. Try to think how your communication would be viewed if read out of context, perhaps by your child or a judge.

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