Proudly Safe SA
ENHANCING E-SAFETY AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION FOR LGBTIQA+ YOUNG PEOPLE
Respectful behaviour online
We may unintentionally disrespect other LGBTIQ+ people online. It’s important to be mindful of this and strive to be more considerate in our online interactions.
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Consider the impact of your responses to others online. Even a minor comment from you could be hurtful to someone else. If you see someone behaving disrespectfully or abusively online, you can speak out against it if it is safe to do so. However, it’s always important to be respectful in your own online interactions and communications.
“I could feel the tension in the comments section, with each reply becoming more and more aggressive. I was tempted to jump in and share my own perspective, but I knew from experience that online arguments rarely lead to productive conversations. Instead, I took a step back and decided to avoid the conversation altogether because it was too stressful.”
– Sanjana*
Handy hints for being respectful online
If it is safe to do so, you can call out abusive or disrespectful behaviour online.
To report abusive posts or accounts, you can use the direct reporting links provided in the eSafety Guide.
If someone sends you an intimate image, it’s important not to share it.
If someone is not responding to your messages or posts, it’s important to respect their boundaries and move on.
For more information on how to navigate online interactions, you may want to read about the difference between appropriate and inappropriate language online.