(from Educational Origami -- Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 2.5)
As a responsible cyber or digital citizen, we model respect for other people. In the past, gossip was limited to your immediate field of friends and acquaintances, but with the advent and uptake of digital technologies the potential audience for gossip and innuendo is global. The ease with which anyone with internet access can publish is incredible. Publishing in a digital medium is as simple as typing or speaking. Anyone can set up and publish a blog in three or four minutes and then the audience is immense.
Flaming is the term used to describe a post or thread that attacks a person. It might start innocently enough. Friends who tease each other face-to-face might continue to do so online. Unfortunately, it isn't always possible to know when you're crossing the line when you don't see someone face-to-face. More importantly, a put down or a derrogatory term is open for every one else to see, which will make others uncomfortable.
A good general rule to follow is: If you wouldn't say it in person, don't say it online.
from the Ad Council
