We scroll, we post, we react, often without pausing to think about what any of it actually means. On 7th September 2026, our BAMMC department set out to change that habit, organising a guest lecture on “Social Media Etiquette” in Room No. 26. The session brought real industry insight to a subject every student navigates daily, whether they realise it or not.

Meet the Voice Behind the Session

Our guest speaker, Mr. Freddy Singharaj, brought a perspective shaped by years in the field. He is Head of the Department at Mithibai College, a Visiting Professor at the NMIMS School of Branding and Advertising, and also a Ph.D. scholar at our own Research Centre in Communication and Journalism. That mix of academic depth and industry exposure made the session feel immediately relevant, not theoretical.

Manners Didn’t Disappear Online, They Just Moved

The core idea of the lecture was simple but important: the manners we follow in face-to-face conversations don’t stop applying once we’re behind a screen. Social media etiquette, as the session framed it, is really just respectful, appropriate communication, translated into a digital space. The rules haven’t changed; the platform has.

Why “Think Before You Post” Still Matters

One of the lecture’s central messages was the simplest one: think before you post. Content shared online rarely disappears quickly, and what feels harmless today can resurface and affect a person’s reputation years later. Students were encouraged to treat every post, comment and share as something with lasting weight, not a fleeting moment.

Disagreeing Without Being Disrespectful

Social media is full of differing opinions, and that’s not a problem in itself. The issue, as the session explained, is when disagreement turns into personal attacks, abusive comments or drawn-out online arguments. Respectful communication, even when opinions clash, was presented as a basic expectation of good digital citizenship, not an optional extra.

Privacy, Consent and Respecting Others Online

The lecture also spent meaningful time on privacy and consent, an area students don’t always think carefully about. Sharing someone else’s photographs, screenshots or conversations without asking first was flagged as a common but avoidable misstep. The guiding principle was straightforward: if content involves another person, their permission comes first.

The Golden Rule for Reaching Out Professionally

Perhaps the most practical takeaway was Mr. Singharaj’s “Golden Rule” for sending DMs to brands, agencies or influencers. Rather than opening with a vague message or an immediate ask, he outlined a simple structure: greet the person, introduce yourself, mention something specific you genuinely appreciate about their work, and then state your request clearly. It’s a small shift that signals effort and leaves a far stronger first impression.

Building a Digital Identity Worth Having

For students of mass media and communication, this session landed close to home. It reinforced a simple truth: social media gives us real freedom to express ourselves, but that freedom comes paired with responsibility. Every post, like and comment adds another layer to a digital identity that follows us well beyond college. Sessions like this one push students at Hinduja College to engage online with more intention, treating good digital etiquette as a genuine communication skill, not an afterthought.

Curious about more sessions from our BAMMC department? Explore BAMMC at Hinduja College to see what’s coming up next.