Fulfills Step 5 of GSUSA Cadette Netiquette badge requirements.
Items needed
- Pens or pencils
- Paper (enough for at least one per scout)
- Laptop or tablet (optional)
- Netiquette Tip Sheet (Or longer list below)
- (Optional) Newsprint and Markers
Instructions
- Change the Netiquette Tip Sheet into a Top 5 list, or take their own Netiquette Tip Sheet and make it into a Top 10 list. Ask them to be creative and fun. This activity is done individually.
- Scouts review their Netiquette Tip sheets to find themes or overlapping ideas. They can combine similar tips to create a refined list of five or ten tips.
- Once the list is complete, scouts make their Top 10 (or Top 5) visually appealing by adding creative elements like:
- Drawing or writing the list on newsprint with markers
- Creating a quick poster, infographic, or illustrated list
- When everyone is finished, scouts share their lists with the group.
Longer List You Can Use:
- Spend time customizing your settings—don’t assume default settings are best for you.
- Avoid sharing your contacts.
- Turn off location sharing to protect your privacy.
- On Snapchat:
- Set comments to manual approval instead of auto-approval.
- Turn off “show me in Find Friends” to be more selective.
- Make your Instagram account private to prevent strangers, colleges, or employers from viewing your posts.
- Regularly review your followers—be selective about who follows you. Remove accounts that don’t add value or make you uncomfortable.
- Never share personal information like your address, phone number, date of birth, or financial details.
- Unfollow or block people whose posts or stories negatively affect your mindset.
- Limit your social media use each day—spend time living offline instead.
- Don’t accept followers or friend requests from people you don’t know. Be cautious with “friends of friends” and investigate profiles carefully.
- Be skeptical of brand ambassador offers. Always consult your parents or a trusted adult to verify if the offer is legitimate.
Posting Specific Rules
- Avoid sharing overly personal or sensitive information.
- Be cautious with humor or sarcasm, as it can be misinterpreted online.
- Double-check grammar and spelling before posting.
- Avoid engaging in arguments or posting inflammatory content.
- Share positive, uplifting content that reflects your values.
- Refrain from tagging others without their permission.
- Remember that posts can be screenshotted—even if deleted later.
- Be mindful of cultural sensitivities and diversity when posting.
- Ensure your photos or posts don’t violate copyright laws or permissions.
- Post purposefully, not impulsively—every post leaves a digital footprint.