Networking and Netiquette

The specific part of maturita topic 1 (Family and interpersonal relationships), at B2 level. “Networking” has two meanings that are both useful here: computer networks that connect devices, and social networking – building relationships online. Netiquette is the set of rules for behaving well on the internet.

Computer networks

A network is two or more devices connected so that they can share data and resources such as files, printers or an internet connection.

Types of networks by size:

Hardware: each device needs a network interface card (NIC) or a wireless adapter. Devices are connected by cables (twisted pair, optical fibre) or wirelessly. A switch connects devices within a LAN and sends data only to the device it is meant for; a router connects different networks – for example your home network with the internet – and chooses the best route for the data; an access point provides Wi-Fi; a modem connects you to your internet service provider (ISP). A firewall filters traffic and protects the network from attacks.

Topologies describe how devices are arranged – star (all devices connected to a central switch – the most common today), bus, ring and mesh.

How data travels: data is split into small packets, which are sent separately and put together again at the destination. Every device has an IP address (for example 192.168.1.10 in IPv4, or a much longer IPv6 address), and rules called protocols – such as TCP/IP, HTTP(S) for websites or DNS, which translates domain names into IP addresses – make sure that devices understand each other.

Client–server vs. peer-to-peer: in a client–server network, computers (clients) ask a central server for services such as files, email or websites. In a peer-to-peer network, all computers are equal and share resources directly.

Social networking

Social networks such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X or LinkedIn let people stay in touch with family and friends, share photos and opinions, find people with the same interests and build professional contacts. LinkedIn is a social network for professional networking, where people present their skills and look for jobs.

Advantages: keeping in touch with people who live far away, finding information and communities quickly, making new friends, promoting a business or your own work.

Disadvantages: addiction and time-wasting, cyberbullying, fake news, comparing yourself with the perfect lives of others, privacy problems – the platforms collect huge amounts of personal data – and the risk of meeting people who are not who they say they are.

Netiquette

Netiquette (net + etiquette) is a set of unwritten rules for polite and safe behaviour online:

1. Remember the human – on the other side of the screen there is a real person. Don’t write anything you wouldn’t say to someone’s face.
2. DON’T WRITE IN CAPITAL LETTERS – it looks like shouting.
3. Respect other people’s privacy – don’t share photos or private messages of others without their permission.
4. Think before you post – the internet never forgets, and future employers may see your posts.
5. Don’t spread rumours or fake news – check information before you share it.
6. Don’t feed the trolls – ignore people who only want to provoke others.
7. Use the right tone – a formal email to a teacher or employer is different from a chat with a friend.
8. Respect copyright – don’t use other people’s texts, photos or music as your own.
9. Keep messages short and clear, and don’t send spam or chain messages.
10. Protect yourself – use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, and never share your passwords or personal details with strangers.

Online relationships and family

Technology has changed family life: families keep in touch through group chats and video calls, but sometimes they sit at one table, each looking at their own phone. Parents worry about the time their children spend online and use parental controls, while young people often help their grandparents to use smartphones. A healthy approach is to set rules – for example no phones during meals – and to balance online and offline relationships.

Key vocabulary

Useful phrases

• A network allows devices to…
• The main difference between a switch and a router is that…
• On the one hand, social networks help us…; on the other hand, …
• One of the most important rules of netiquette is…
• I think people should think twice before…

Questions the examiner may ask

Try to answer each question in two or three sentences, then click on the hint to compare.