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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.

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 was scrolling through social media, when I came across a heated conversation between two people discussing trans rights.”

“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

1
If it is safe to do so, you can call out abusive or disrespectful behaviour online.
By working together, we can create a more inclusive and positive online environment for the LGBTIQA+ community. When calling out negative behaviour or engaging in discussions about issues, be sure to remain respectful. Learn more about the various types of online abuse, including adult cyber abuse.
2
To report abusive posts or accounts, you can use the direct reporting links provided in the eSafety Guide.
If you don’t receive a response within 48 hours and the harmful content meets the definition of adult cyber abuse, you can report it to eSafety.





3
If someone sends you an intimate image, it’s important not to share it.
This type of behavior, known as image-based abuse, involves sharing or threatening to share an intimate image or video without the person’s consent. To learn more about this issue, you can read up on image-based abuse.



4
If someone is not responding to your messages or posts, it’s important to respect their boundaries and move on.
If someone is not interested in interacting with you, it’s best to seek out connections with people who are willing to engage. To learn more about this issue, you can read up on cyberstalking. 




For more information on how to navigate online interactions, you may want to read about the difference between appropriate and inappropriate language online.