Nowadays, chatting online has become increasingly common. People date via the internet, keep up with family members and find new friends with similar interests. Most people will have chatted online at some point and yet many continue to make mistakes when do.

We're not talking about spelling and grammar mistakes here – although they are a factor – there are other mistakes that people make quite a lot that can mean others are put off chatting to them. 

So what should and shouldn't you do when chatting online?

Don't ignore people

Ignoring people, even if you aren't interested in talking to them, isn't the best way to go about things. The only time you should ever ignore someone's message is if they start out being rude or inappropriate, in which case, you should report their account.

You wouldn't want to be ignored, so make sure you don't do it to others.

Do politely reject their message

If you aren't interested in talking to someone who has messaged you, just tell them very politely that you don't think you have similar enough interests to continue the conversation. Some people will accept this while others may be less than gracious, but at least you haven't ignored them.

Don't weigh in on someone else's conversation

There is nothing worse than someone who gives their opinion on a topic without reading the entire thread. Not reading the whole conversation first can mean you miss out on vital points, don't pick up on the tone and could end up repeating things that were said earlier.

Deciding to just join in with a conversation without reading it can also irritate people, mean you insult someone or totally miss what the conversation is all about, making you look bad.

Do comment on conversations you want to be fully 

Joining in with conversations is all part of the fun, so long as what you are saying is relevant. Read the previous messages and jump in from where it left off, which will keep people engaged with the topic.

Don't get angry

Losing your temper, launching into a tirade and being rude to people is no way to make friends. You wouldn't do this to people face to face, so don't do it online. It is important to keep your cool, even if others aren't and don't let yourself be baited into writing something you'll probably regret later on.

It's important to remember that discussions and chat rooms are mediated, so inappropriate comments and language could land you in hot water.

Do keep it civil

Even if someone is pressing your buttons, make sure you keep it civil. It is much better to walk away from an online conversation if tempers are flaring than it is to start arguing or being rude. This will stop you from being banned and ensure you can continue to enjoy chatting online. 

Don't be put off

Just like a face-to-face conversation, it can feel a bit daunting to jump into a chat or discussion, especially if you're new to a site. You shouldn't be put off though, as every single other person on the site will have been in the same situation at one point. Once you join in with one conversation, you'll find the rest much easier.

Do have fun

Chatting online is a fun way to meet people and talk about subjects you enjoy, so you should do what you can to enjoy it. Having fun is the most important thing, so don't take it too seriously.