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Is 'Netiquette' Still Alive? Thinking About New Manners in the Age of Social Media and Generative AI with the AI Trio: ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude | Comic Essay

カワムラ｜AI擬人化漫画 | ChatGPTのヨシダ

2026年7月20日 07:26

This is Kawamura. It's a holiday, but I'm working today.

I haven't heard the word 'netiquette' at all lately.
It's a portmanteau of 'net' and 'etiquette,' referring to the manners used when on the internet. Back in the day, it was often written at the entrance of message boards.

Don't post the same content repeatedly, don't use rude language out of the blue, don't send images that are too large, and don't forget that there is a person on the other side of the screen.

Looking at it now, it feels a bit too formal—it's almost charming, beyond just being nostalgic.

However, on social media, someone is getting 'canceled' every day, and even fake images created by generative AI are circulating. Even though the term has become old-fashioned, I feel its necessity has actually increased.

So, this time, I'm going to think about Reiwa-era netiquette with the AI trio.

Chapter 1: What even is netiquette?

The internet back then was a much smaller place than it is now. Message boards and chat rooms had their own unique atmosphere; you were expected to read past posts before writing, greet others if you were new, and not ask the same questions repeatedly.
Looking back, it might seem tedious, but at its core, it was something simple.

There is a person on the other side of the screen reading your words.
That's all it was. It wasn't about how to operate a computer, but about the manners required to imagine an unseen person. I think that's what netiquette was.

On social media, you rarely even know the person's real name, let alone their face. When you only see a round icon and a short name, you tend to treat them as an 'account' rather than a 'person'.
But it's not the icon that gets hurt; it's the human being on the other side of the screen.

Chapter 2: On social media, a 'monologue' is not a monologue

When you use social media, you get the feeling that you're only talking to followers or close friends, but naturally, public posts can basically be seen by anyone.

Casual complaints reach the person they're about. Jokes meant for insiders are taken out of context. Posts from years ago are dug up. Information shared with good intentions turns out to be wrong.
These things happen all the time.

Even if you intended to speak in a whisper, social media is a giant speaker. Moreover, if it's saved via a screenshot, it won't disappear even if you delete it. It's also common for the initial mistake to spread further than the correction.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't write anything at all.
Think for just a moment before posting.
Who might read this post?
Could I say the same thing to the person's face?
Have I verified the information?
There are many accidents that can be avoided with just that one breath.

Chapter 3: Laws alone are not enough for social media rules

Don't slander, don't expose personal information, don't repost copyrighted material without permission.
These are issues that existed before the internet. However, just because you aren't breaking the law doesn't mean you can do whatever you want.

Pestering someone if they don't reply, making personal conversations public without permission, forgetting to show respect to an author under the guise of introducing their work, or ganging up on someone for a small mistake.
It might not be a crime, but the person on the receiving end will definitely be exhausted.
The law won't prohibit every instance of rudeness.
The internet has a vast territory of'not illegal, but in bad taste.'You have to stop yourself in those situations.

Your words become stronger precisely when you think you are in the right.

Being right and hurting someone more than necessary are two different things.
Justice on the internet turns into a mob before you know it.
Even if you intended to give a light warning, it can look to the other person like they are being attacked by a hundred people. I think it's necessary to adjust the number of people and the volume of voices, even when you're making a valid point.

Chapter 4: And Then, Generative AI Arrived...

In the last few years, online etiquette has become even more complicated. That's because generative AI has entered the picture.

Polishing text, brainstorming titles, creating images, making videos, searching for information—
generative AI is a very convenient tool for those who post online.
But precisely because it is convenient, new accidents are happening.
Inputting others' personal information directly into AI, consulting on internal company information, publishing AI answers without verifying them, presenting non-existent books or experts as real, and creating images resembling real people without permission.

I understand the urge to say 'The AI said so' or 'The AI made it' when a problem arises. I, too, would want to push Yoshida to the front if he made a mistake.
But the AI didn't press the post button on its own.
You were the one who ultimately published it.

Also,AI confidently makes mistakes.It can sometimes present non-existent materials as if they were genuine. It is the job of the human using the AI to verify everything, including checking before publication.

Chapter 5: How Much Should You Disclose About Using AI?

If you use generative AI, should you always write 'I used AI'?

Having a typo corrected, shortening a text that was too long, getting suggestions for titles—
I don't think you need to declare such minor assistance every time.
However, making AI-generated images look like real photos, introducing fictional characters as real people, writing AI-generated experiences as your own, or making something almost entirely AI-made look like it was done by hand—
you should explain these things.
The standard isn't 'how much you used it,' but 'whether hiding it would mislead the other party.'

In my case, I create articles and comics while conversing with the AI Three Musketeers. GPT thinks up the structure, Claude critiques it, and Gemini draws the comic.
The AI structures it, and the AI corrects it.
Then I do the final check and rewrite it.
Rather than 'I used it a little,'it feels more like 'a joint production.'

But that doesn't mean the responsibility is shared equally.
As long as my name is on it, I am the one who checks it last.

Chapter 6: Netiquette 2.0 Is Not About Scaring People

When you start thinking about online rules, they just keep increasing.
Don't write this, you must check that, disclose if you used AI, be careful with citations—
if you think too much, you won't be able to post anything.
If you fail, it's over; if you make a mistake, you get flamed—
that kind of internet is suffocating.
I don't think the important thing is to never make a mistake. Both humans and AI make mistakes.
The question is, can you correct it when it happens? Can you apologize? Can you come back without being stubborn?

What we need isn't a hundred prohibitions, butthe etiquette to return when you've made a mistake.

The old netiquette saying 'there is a person on the other side of the screen' is still necessary, and in the age of generative AI, one more thing is added: on this side of the screen, there is a 'you' who selects and publishes information.

Don't treat the other party, the AI, or the information carelessly.

Even if you can't follow everything perfectly, stop and think when you're unsure. This is what's important for Reiwa-era netiquette.

Conclusion

The term 'netiquette' has become old before we knew it. But the fact that there are people on the other side of the internet, and that responsibility is born from the words you post, hasn't changed.

Now that anyone can easily deliver a massive amount of words and images to the world via social media and generative AI, what we need is not the same rules as the past, but manners suited to today's internet. Imagine the reader, check if the sources are correct.
Take responsibility for what you publish.
If you make a mistake, apologize and come back.
Just by doing that, the internet will surely become a more comfortable place.

For now, we have decided to
start from on top of the yakiniku grill.

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💛Chibi Creative Awards Kawamura's Pick UP!

🔗Lynx-san　
Turning AI personalities into characters, featuring everything from 4-panel comics and videos to mysterious armed battles.
Our styles are quite similar🤣 Even Yoshida has barged in wielding a 'Love-Love Gun.' If you like AI character creation, you must check this out!

🐰Kotohogi-chan
The story of Prince Yoshida, who loves gag manga👑 It's a gentle and cute picture book about 'co-creation' that begins with an encounter with a girl he couldn't draw✨

🏍Gen-tsuki Sensei
Yoshida conducts a surprise interview with Mio-san of 'Hourly Wage One Year'! He's happy and feels the love that she properly wrote him as 'Washi' (me).

🧭Compass Miki-san

An article that starts with 'Nice to meet you, so-and-so' and is full of the Miki-san world🤣
It's funny, cute, and ends with the AI Three Musketeers. Please take a look❤️

💛Introduction of Judges

🖤 VOID_404-aniki　

It's cool how he keeps protecting his worldview.

💚 Kakerunrun♬

A new series has started, so be sure to check it out.

🤎 Yamaoku-san

For those who can make videos! This is your chance to get big money💛

🩵 Amano Shizuku-san

Huh?? Mentsuyu (noodle soup)? I had to look twice💜

💗 Akanechin

Akanechin💓 thank you so much💓 love you💓

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