What’s The Etiquette For Community Facebook Pages? [Block Talk Survey]

ACROSS AMERICA — In many neighborhoods, a community Facebook or other social media page is a great place to share news about neighborhood get-togethers, suspected criminal activity, lost pets or public improvements; get recommendations for contractors and services; or just to talk about what’s going on. The online forum is like a neighborhood association meeting no one has to put pants on to attend.

These digital forums tend to bring out the best or worst of human nature, all in one package. When a family pet comes home or someone who needs it gets help because of someone’s post, these digital town squares are the bomb diggity.

But what about the person who lobs a stink bomb in the online space, stirring things up with drama-filled posts and snotty responses to others’ posts, raising the toxicity level of the entire thread? What about people who throw shade on others for innocently asking a question everyone but them may know the answer to, labeling them “stupid” or “moronic” or worse? Is this the way they act in face-to-face conversations, or does the internet just make people meaner?

What’s the appropriate etiquette for interacting on community Facebook and other digital neighborhood forums? When does a comment or post cross a line? Is there anything you can do to turn down the temperature on heated discussions?

We’re asking for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column. Just fill out the form below — and be assured we’re good neighbors and won’t collect your email address.

Editor’s note: This survey closed on Aug. 1, 2024.

About Block Talk

Block Talk is an exclusive Patch series on neighborhood etiquette — and readers provide the answers. If you have a topic you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com with “Block Talk” as the subject line.

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