Digital Kindness: Why It Matters and How to Practice It

Photo by Ditto Bowo on Unsplash‍

Have you ever experienced a random act of kindness? An unexpected treat or a simple smile in the hallway?

I remember being in the line at Tim Horton’s, trying to pay, when I was told that the person in front of me had already paid for my meal. I was super happy, of course, and I decided to continue the chain of kindness by paying for the person behind me. I found that the small act of kindness stuck with me all day. 

Random acts of kindness aren’t just monetary; they can be anything (big or small).

That encounter made me look up and begin to notice the kindness around me that previously went unnoticed. I realized that so much of the joy I experience during my day can be traced back to people giving some of their time to make the day a little bit brighter for someone else. 

The thing is, it can sometimes seem as though kindness is harder to translate into digital spaces. So often we see comment sections flooded by negativity or chat rooms created to belittle one another. In fact, studies have been conducted to measure the impact of kindness online with consumers of different media platforms. 

The Result: Kindness has the power to transform digital spaces completely and improve mental health (Brandao and Fratantoni, 2024). 

How to Practice Digital Kindness

1. Think Before You Post

A little trick I use before posting anything online is to ask myself a couple of questions. Is this true? Is this necessary? Is this kind? If the answer isn’t yes to any of these questions, it might be best to take a pause from tech and think about why you wanted to post in the first place.

2. Use Positive Language

Simply changing your vocabulary can do great things in the digital world! Choose words that uplift, encourage, and advocate for others. You’ll find that small changes like these can quickly transform online spaces to be kind and inclusive.

3. Practice Balance

Showing kindness online also means showing kindness to yourself. It might be good to remember to take some breaks from tech. It can help you feel more productive and connected to the people around you.

I find that with these norms in place, the spaces I’m in become better for me and those around me. Continuing to practice these habits will create a meaningful impact with those you interact with online or in person.