Beyond 'Quasi-Norms': The Challenges and Potential of Engaging with Norms in Cyberspace

As in any realm of human activity, norms are unavoidable in cyberspace. Yet cyberspace is a singularly complex setting within which to understand and try to shape norms. The problem is not simply the nature of cyberspace, although, as we will address below, acknowledging the unique characteristics of cyberspace is crucial when exploring norms in this realm. Rather, the challenge lies in the often overlooked nature of norms themselves and how their defining features render them especially difficult to decipher – and, by extension, to attempt to design – in the context of cyberspace.