Who never had a second thought about something posted online?

A comment might receive no attention, trigger too much controversy or simply embarrass the author after a — literally or not — sober analysis. Acting as Orwell’s Ministry of Truth can possibly clear one’s public image.

Although deleting a post is supported by Facebook and Twitter, the feature is not standard across the Internet. Now, according to a recent article by The New York Times, legislators in California are discussing a bill that would force websites to offer the option to online users under 18 years old.

Any attempt to control the Internet runs into the standard controversies about free speech and privacy. But in this case, the bill also prompts a more general discussion about Internet etiquette (or “netiquette,” as it goes) and safe approaches in the online environment.

Without supporting or opposing the initiative, some points about the nature of online communications are worth pointing out.

First, regardless of the privacy setting on a website, there’s always the risk — albeit small — of hackers stealing your data.

Second, even if information is publicly available online for a fraction of a second, it is safer to assume it will remain public. For even if there are no people looking at the website during that interval, public information is constantly being monitored by software.

Third, our own judgement of what is proper to post online changes with time. And as John Green would say, “me from the past” is not the wisest person you can mention.

In what concerns the law, it seems natural that regulations should be as consistent as possible across different types of media. If a certain advertisement cannot be shown on TV before 9 p.m., then the same should hold online. In the case of public online posts, laws related to books or magazines would apply.

Of course, online media poses new challenges for lawmakers, especially because ideas become trends before the legal implications can be reasonably analyzed. To avoid trouble, the user has two options.

The first is to minimize online presence, refraining from publishing any content, or from releasing private information, as much as possible, especially in social networks.

The second is to realize that an online personality is a public personality, and behave accordingly. It is similar to the experience of actors, singers and other public figures — people are looking and judging, even when you don’t think they are.

Keeping that in mind is especially useful if one plans to eventually run for public office. No need to name names.

A version of this article appeared in the Thursday, Sept. 26 print edition. Marcelo Cicconet is a staff columnist. Email him at [email protected].