Just like any other form of communication, chat rooms too are subject to proper etiquette. Here are some basic guidelines to follow.

• If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all - at least in public! We want the chat rooms to be a positive environment so please take your spats, squabbles and skirmishes to private message.
  

• Keep the obscenities, vulgarity and sexually questionable content to an absolute minimum. As a teen website, there may be adolescents as young as thirteen chatting. Try to keep your public messages PG 13.
  

• Keep personal information personal! A busy and fast-paced public chatroom is not the best place to share your or anybody else's personal information. Sharing personal information can be dangerous. This includes real names, phone numbers, addresses, etc.
  

• Show your fellow chatters respect and be tolerant. If you disagree with them or you don't like what they're saying, it's not your business to let them know (unless it is violating a TeenSpot.com Term of Use, then you should let a staff member know). Religious tolerance is also necessary.
  

• Avoid repeating the same message over and over. While the chat software does have mechanisms to limit this, they're not perfect - don't abuse.
  

• Have some courtesy for your fellow chatters. If someone has a question that you know the answer to then feel free to answer. Say hi when they come in, say goodbye when they leave. You'll make their day.
  

• No advertising. TeenSpot.com chat is for chatting, not for pitching your bands' website or your eBay sale.
  

And last but not least..

• Be nice! Very simple - just be nice. Don't be a jerk and try to ruin everybody's time - TeenSpot.com chat is intended to be a fun hangout for teens. Do your best to keep it fun!