Fabianyelit Herrera Hernández is a journalist and serves as Communications and Media Coordinator at Carver University. Her professional work focuses on institutional communications, higher education, academic outreach, and strategic brand positioning in digital environments.

She completed her professional internship at Radio Bío Bío, one of Chile’s leading media organizations, where she participated in journalistic research, content writing, interviews, and news production. She has also conducted research in the field of strategic communications, including the analysis of political communication strategies and the development of communication plans for organizations. Her main areas of interest include strategic communications, digital transformation, online education, institutional reputation, and the impact of emerging technologies on society.

In an era where the pursuit of visibility has normalized behaviors we would hardly accept in a face-to-face conversation

The internet has profoundly transformed the way we live, learn, and connect with one another. Today, we can study in another country without relocating, access remote healthcare services, collaborate with international teams, and stay connected with people who are thousands of miles away.

Technology has removed barriers and created opportunities that seemed impossible just a few years ago. However, the more connected we become, the more common disrespect appears to be in digital spaces.

It only takes a few minutes on social media to encounter aggressive comments, personal attacks, and heated arguments that would likely not occur in the same way during an in-person conversation. Distance and anonymity often lead people to forget that behind every profile is a human being with emotions, experiences, and a story we may know nothing about.

In this context, netiquette becomes especially relevant. Netiquette refers to the set of behavioral guidelines that promote respectful and responsible communication online. Although the concept emerged decades ago, it seems more relevant today than ever before. Netiquette is not simply about writing correctly or following digital rules; it is about remembering the fundamental principles of respectful coexistence in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Aggressiveness has become normalized. Offenses are often disguised as humor, memes, or ironic comments that end up ridiculing people because of their physical appearance, way of thinking, background, or sexual orientation. What is most concerning is that this type of content often generates high levels of engagement.

Digital violence is not a reality exclusive to young people or to any specific region. According to the Pew Research Center, 41% of Americans have personally experienced some form of online harassment. Among adults under the age of 30, that figure rises to 64%, showing that aggressive behavior in digital environments has become a frequent experience for a significant number of people who participate in online conversations.

The need to promote a digital culture based on respect is not minor. According to the report (Un)protected Online: Young People Facing Violence and Disinformation on the Internet, published by Plan International in collaboration with the Madrid City Council, 84% of the young people surveyed said they had been victims of online harassment, while 78% reported having experienced threats, insults, or mockery. These figures show that aggressive behavior in digital spaces has ceased to be an isolated issue and has become a frequent reality for many social media users.

It is no coincidence that the State of Florida has specific legislation to prevent bullying and cyberbullying in educational environments. The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act requires school districts to implement active policies to prevent, identify, and address these behaviors, recognizing their impact on the well-being and coexistence of children and young people.

We know that platforms reward content that generates a reaction. Controversial, provocative, or polarizing content often receives more comments, shares, and views. The problem arises when the pursuit of attention and reach begins to normalize aggression, humiliation, or personal attacks as acceptable ways of generating engagement.

There is also another increasingly common phenomenon: the dehumanization of the people behind digital accounts. Many individuals interact with institutional profiles, companies, media outlets, or content creators as if there were a machine on the other side of the screen. They respond aggressively, make unreasonable demands, or react out of frustration, forgetting that behind every post there are real people reading those messages and doing their jobs.

As technology continues to advance, it becomes even more important to remember the basics, principles we learned long before artificial intelligence, prompts, or online classes: respecting others, listening to different perspectives, choosing our words carefully, and coexisting with those who think differently.

Perhaps the most important rule of netiquette is also the simplest: before posting a comment, ask yourself whether you would say the exact same thing face-to-face. If the answer is no, it may be time to rethink how we are participating in digital conversations.

Technology will continue to evolve, but respect should never become obsolete. Because behind every screen, every profile, and every comment, there is still a person. 

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