Fatwa · Character & Etiquette
What does Islamic etiquette ask of me when sharing news and photos online?
Digital etiquette applies the same standards of truth, privacy and restraint as offline speech.
The answer
Online speech is still speech. The same duties of truthfulness, fairness and avoiding backbiting apply to a post, a comment or a forwarded message. Before sharing news, check whether it is accurate and whether the source is reliable. A claim that stirs anger or fear deserves more scrutiny, not less.
Respect privacy. Do not publish someone's photograph, location, health information or family news without their permission. Be especially careful with children and with people who are vulnerable. Forwarding a private message to a wider group can cause harm that an apology does not easily repair.
Watch your tone as well as your content. Sarcasm, pile-ons and public correction can humiliate a person even when the point is technically right. Correct errors when you make them, delete harmful posts and ask forgiveness where needed. If a conversation is becoming heated, leaving it unanswered for a time is often the wiser choice.
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