I think it’s important to be as polite, engaging, diplomatic and tactful on social media as with face to face communication. Actually I try and make more of an effort online so as not to be misunderstood.

I find it interesting, sometimes troubling that some communicate in a very blunt, contrite, undiplomatic and untactful ways which can be such a be a turn off, sometimes hurtful and not a way to get your point across when people are made to feel defensive. It’s often the polar opposite to some people’s personalities or ways of conversing face to face. Sometimes even the politest, gentlest people I know seem to communicate in ways they never would in real life, so what’s so different?
Do people think different rules of etiquette apply on social media, that people’s skin is thicker when they read a comment, post of tweet? I’ve heard some say ‘well social media is less personal’ actually it’s more personal. Seeing someones blunt tactless admonishment written there for all to see can be a whole lot worse than a polite well written comment that takes into account everyones point of view. After all you have time to compose your response and consider what to say, in ways you don’t have if you when in front of this person or on the phone.
It’s been said, text can be interpreted in lots of ways, yes, so take more care about how you write. When you make some criticism of someone online it can appear as an attack even if it’s not meant that way even if it’s not just mean to be hurtful to that person it can seem a lot different. 

Is there confusion? Why do some people have two channels one for out loud verbal communication which is polite and diplomatic and the other blunt and potentially rude? It’s the same person who reads a comment as hears it, they’re going to be just as hurt either way, so learn your manors. Just because it’s in text doesn’t mean it will be taken differently, so why communicate differently?

As you think before you speak, think before you type, the same social rules apply.