Netiquette of Cyberbullying and Privacy Issues

ABSTRACT:

Modern communication platforms such as Social networking (Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Plus); Microblogging (Twitter, Tumblr); Photo sharing (Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest) and Video sharing (YouTube, Facebook Live, Periscope, Vimeo) have become tools of communication in all business environments. Thus, their usage have brought about loss of values and disrespect for human dignity on Netiquette (concerning behaviour on the Internet). The most prominent Netiquette with negative social consequences has been identified as cyberbullying. The study used a descriptive survey research design which was achieved through the use of questionnaire administration. Netiquette predictor was used in relation to social media platforms usage and cyberbullying for ethical decision making based on Utilitarianism and Ethical Theories. Data collected were presented and analysed using simple percentage count and linear regression with Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) as the research tool. The study showed that cyberbullying has significant effect on social media platform usage with p < 0.05, that is, p = 0.000. Also, for privacy issues, p < 0.05, that is, p =0.019. There is a significant difference between cyberbullying and social media platform usage. Also, there is a significant difference between cyberbullying and respect for others‟ privacy. Therefore, cyberbullying accords no respect for others and hence infringe on privacy. It is imperative to realize that not everyone make decisions in the same way, using the same information, and employing the same decision rules. Netiquette of cyberbullying decreases with accountability (accepting the consequences of one's actions and accepting responsibility for all decisions); and cyberbullying accord no respect for others on the Internet and social media platforms. Therefore, Netiquette has social consequences on ethical decision making and Netiquette can be useful in making ethical decisions.

Keywords: Cyberbullying, Ethical decision, Ethics, Ethical theories, Netiquette, Privacy, Social media.