The Do's & Don'ts Of Facebook,Twitter, social Media, texting and more

CLEVELAND – Even social networking has its do’s and don’ts. The family who wrote the book on American etiquette has just updated it for the digital age with answers about defriending, unfollowing, tweeting and more.

“Emily Post’s Etiquette” first set standards for American manners almost 90 years ago.

Now in its 18th edition, great-great-granddaughters Anna and Lizzie Post are among those making sure the family business keeps pace.

Anna Post said, “Emily used to have an entire chapter in 1922 about chaperones. I think maybe some parents wish we had that, but on a whole we do have to keep moving and adapting.”

So “Emily Post’s Etiquette: Manners for a New World,” covers do’s and don’ts of Facebook, email, tweeting and texting.

Like the digital breakup, for example. A big don’t.

“No. In person, phone if you have to, but Facebook, you know, changing the status as the way of letting them know — not the way to go,” said Anna Post.

Eager brides and grooms updating their Facebook status at the altar, or guests who tweet as soon as they hear, “I do” is taboo too.

Anna Post asked, “Not that there’s anything wrong with tweeting, but is that your priority at the altar? I think not. So that’s a definite no. As for guests, who are you tweeting? People who weren’t invited?”

It’s perfectly OK to unfriend or unfollow if a connection’s wall posts, pictures or tweets make you uncomfortable, but if it’s someone you’re close to offline, follow up face-to-face.

That’s because common courtesy stays the same, the Posts said, even if a lot of other things change.

“There is not some sort of electronic brick wall between you and the other person. It’s a real person over at the other end so think about them,” Lizzie Post said.