As the Steemit platform grows, new users will be arriving in droves. So should down voting be a fundamental part of Steemit? The answer, yes when properly integrated into the algorithm, it helps a lot. The need to down vote will be an ever present need to police the Steemit community against bots, incorrect tagging, plagiarism etc.
Down voting Etiquette
As a member of steemit who is within his right to down vote anyone's content, whats the best and most ethical way to do this.
DoS:
1. Down vote anything you believe shouldn't be on steemit. This could be illegal content/harmful content
2. Down vote if you believe someone has intentionally tagged there post incorrectly with the hope to reach a wider audience
3. Down vote anything you dislike
4. Down vote worthless comments, chiefly if they add nothing to the conversation.
Do Not
1. If you dislike the person, do not down vote there post/comment just because of your personal feeling towards then.
2. Do not down vote someones comment on mass.
3. Do not down vote a comment/post just because the opinion conflicts with your own.
4. Do not down vote opinions just because they are critical of you own
Million dollar question: Should you comment if you down vote something
Yes!! Your down vote is only good when it makes sense. Only down vote someones comment if there is a real reason to do so, feel free to share this with the person so they do not see it as a personal attack. Unreasonable down voting can be detrimental especially to new users who may find it demoralizing and discouraging.