Netiquette or internet etiquette begins with the understanding that interactions in the digital space are human interactions that have boundaries and rules. What is allowed and what is not allowed.
Boundaries related to protection of physical, emotional, mental, and social aspects will function if we do not interfere in other people’s business. The positive aspects of using social media include being able to achieve goals, such as wanting to be recognized in a certain way.
This was conveyed by Farchan Noor Rachman, one of the speakers at the “Workshop on Ethics and the Impact of Digital Communication: Using Creativity for Good,” held by the University Secretariat on Thursday, March 13th 2025, at Multimedia Room 1, 3rd floor, North Wing of the UGM Central Building.
According to Farchan, social media ethics in organizations will not be effective if individual awareness is not well implemented. For example, a staff member insulting a user of healthcare services or officials arguing and ending up challenging each other to a fight. This could actually be minimized if both individuals are aware of how social media should be used.
Farchan added three principles for social media use: applying the same ethical values both online and offline, recognizing cultural differences, and rejecting bullying.
Regarding information fixation, Farchan emphasized the importance of verifying the source of information, ensuring the truth of the content, and confirming the context—place, time, and background.
An important point in dealing with social media is that content can be true or false, and what is good is not necessarily true, and what is true is not always beneficial.
Farchan also listed things not to do on social media, starting with uploading hoax content, then liking or sharing pornographic, radicalism, terrorism, harassment, discrimination, and SARA (ethnic, religious, and racial issues) content.
Third, uploading confidential information about state secrets and other non-public information, and the fourth prohibition is uploading content during business trips.
In line with Farchan, Mochamad Ryan Saputra also mentioned two positive and negative aspects of social media. The positive side is easy access to information without gaps. The negative side is that it allows for negative behaviors like cyberbullying.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tirta, another speaker at the event, discussed the dopamine booster effect and social media addiction. Social media can provide a satisfying effect with notifications, likes, and comments, which trigger the release of dopamine. The dopamine effect is strongly linked to feelings of happiness and satisfaction. Dopamine boosters like likes, shares, and comments, if lacking, can cause stress, with cortisol hormone levels rising when stressed.
This workshop was attended by representatives of educational staff from faculties and schools at UGM. The workshop is also an implementation of SDG Goal 4 on Quality Education, Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and Goal 17 on Partnerships to Achieve the Goals.
Writer: Arni W