It's not right to constantly reach out to people just because 'we can'

The rapid spread of digital communication increases the expectation of constant accessibility, bringing with it new behavioral rules for an era. Experts state that constantly reaching out to people just because we can is not appropriate behavior, and they remind us that persistent tracking is a form of cyber violence. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay points out that sudden video calls not confirmed via message are akin to unannounced visits, and states that constant accessibility blurs the line between work life and private life. Atalay said, “Various countries have started to introduce legal regulations under the name ‘right to disconnect’ to protect employees' rights. Countries like France and Ireland have begun implementing these laws.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay, Head of Üsküdar University's Faculty of Communication, Journalism Department, evaluated the concept and scope of ‘Netiquette,’ known as the rules of etiquette in the virtual world.

Netiquette is extremely important today

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay stated that the word ‘Netiquette’ is formed by combining ‘net,’ which refers to networks and online networks, and ‘etiquette,’ meaning rules of conduct. She said, “With the widespread adoption of digital technologies in recent years, we have started encountering and meeting other people on digital platforms and social media. We also conduct our social relationships through these channels. Consequently, certain behavioral rules and social norms have begun to develop here. When communicating through digital technologies, it is important to maintain courtesy, create a good image, leave the right impression, and most importantly, to continue our good relationships with other people. For this reason, Netiquette is extremely important today.”

Is being constantly accessible an advantage or a disadvantage?

Noting that the nature of digital technologies makes it possible to communicate both synchronously and asynchronously from anywhere, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay continued:

“In other words, we can send a message, request a video call, or send an email to someone at any moment we desire, at any hour of the day, from where we are, regardless of their location. While this is seen as an advantage in many respects, there are also situations where it turns into a disadvantage, bothers people, and can be perceived as rudeness. 

When utilizing the possibilities of digital communication, constantly trying to reach other people at any moment we desire—sending messages, calling, or sometimes emailing—just because we can, without considering any other factors, is not seen as appropriate behavior from a Netiquette perspective.”

Constant accessibility blurs the work-life distinction…

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay also stated the following regarding reaching people digitally at any time desired:
“It is necessary to take into account factors such as the level of our intimacy with the other party, the time of day, and the importance of the topic. Constant accessibility negatively affects employees, especially because it blurs the work-life distinction. Sometimes, social relationships that should remain professionally distant can lead to boundary violations due to the possibility of being accessible at any moment. Imagine someone you had to give your phone number to for work purposes sending you overly intimate messages on WhatsApp late at night. Awareness in this area is crucial to prevent such situations from occurring.” 

Constant accessibility disrupts private life!

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay also noted that constant accessibility disrupts private life, stating the following:
“For example, our work life and private life are normally spatially and temporally separate. However, when we are constantly accessible with digital technologies, people we are connected to from work can reach us late at night. They can write to us via WhatsApp groups used for work or privately. Therefore, detaching from work to fully rest or engaging with our private life is no longer as easy as it used to be. 

Constantly reaching out to people just because we can is not appropriate behavior!

At this point, it's important to remember the Netiquette rule: constantly reaching out to people just because we can is not considered appropriate behavior. Writing to someone you met through work on WhatsApp or calling them late at night, unless it's a truly urgent situation, does not seem appropriate.”

Suddenly making a video call is like visiting someone without notice…

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay also drew attention to video calls, saying, “A video call request is something that should be made after being confirmed by both parties via message beforehand. Suddenly making a video call to someone with whom you don't have intimacy is like visiting someone without notice.”

Persistent tracking is a form of cyber violence…

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay stated, “If boundaries are constantly violated, if individuals are called at inappropriate times, or if they are harassed via social media, messages, and emails, at some point, this can approach a form of cyber violence known as ‘persistent tracking.’ If it turns into a type of harassment, then the necessity for sanctions may arise.”    

The ‘right to disconnect’ is a right! 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay also stated that in-house policies or work processes might need to be reviewed and regulated to prevent employees from being constantly on-demand outside of working hours, concluding her remarks as follows:

“For example, rules could be established such as not considering it appropriate to send emails after a certain hour or to message employees outside of emergency situations.

Various countries have started to introduce legal regulations under the name ‘right to disconnect’ to protect employees' rights. Countries like France and Ireland have begun implementing these laws. In many other Western countries, the right to disconnect is also being discussed, and efforts are being made for its enactment into law.

The right to disconnect is very important for balancing work relationships with digital communication tools and helping employees achieve a healthy working environment, and it seems likely to be discussed much more in the coming years.”