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How to cultivate digital empathy

Cultivating digital empathy doesn’t require perfect behaviour or philosophical wisdom – just a conscious effort to be more mindful, slower, and more human in our online interactions.

Respect is built through small but consistent acts. Here are practical ways to do that:

1. Pause before you respond

Impulsiveness is the enemy of empathy. Before sending a comment or reply, ask yourself:

  • ‘How would this person feel reading this?’
  • ‘Would I say this in person?’

It’s a simple but powerful practice of self-reflection.

2. Read carefully – don’t assume the worst

We often ‘hear’ tones online that aren’t really there. Someone may not have been rude – maybe they were just brief. Instead of reacting defensively, try first to read with understanding, not suspicion.

3. Express disagreement without offending

We can (and should) have different opinions. But disagreement doesn’t have to be an attack.

Instead of:

‘You have no idea what you’re talking about.’

Try:

‘That’s interesting – my experience has been different.’

Empathy doesn’t mean you have to agree – it means you communicate with respect.

4. Respect differences and contexts

Just as we wouldn’t speak the same way in a business meeting and at a café, the internet is not a one-size-fits-all space. Different people, languages, and cultural contexts require cultural and emotional awareness.

5. Be a good example – especially when it’s hard

Empathy is contagious. When someone shows respect and understanding in a debate, others often follow. Instead of ‘stooping to their level’, elevate the conversation.

According to UNESCO’s digital citizenship guide, empathy is one of the foundations of a safe, inclusive internet. Every comment, every tweet, every message is an opportunity – not just to be a user of the internet, but a responsible builder of it.

 

The Role of Communities, Platforms, and Education

Although empathy is built individually, a culture of respect online cannot exist without broader support – from digital platforms, educational institutions, and communities. Each has an important role in shaping our online behaviour.

The way social networks and apps are designed can either encourage or discourage empathetic behaviour. Good practice examples:

  • Twitter (now X) experimented with a feature prompting users to read an article before sharing it.
  • Instagram has a feature that warns users if their comment may be offensive.
  • YouTube and Reddit have introduced mechanisms that encourage positive interactions and constructive criticism, not just ‘likes’.

These are digital ‘nudges’ – gentle reminders to be more thoughtful.

Online communities, forums, Discord servers, and even Facebook groups – all can be spaces of empathy if they have clear communication rules, active moderation, and a culture of mutual support. The role of moderators isn’t just to ‘delete insults’ – it’s to encourage dialogue, education, and mutual understanding.

Empathy is a learned skill, just like etiquette. UNESCO and organisations like Common Sense Media suggest that schools introduce:

  • Lessons on digital communication,
  • Simulations of online dialogue,
  • Discussions on cyberbullying and hate speech.

Education must keep pace with technology, because empathy in digital spaces isn’t a luxury – it’s a 21st-century skill. That’s why, through the DigiCity project, we are creating educational materials to support schools, educators, and young people in developing this skill.

Empathy doesn’t depend solely on individuals – it thrives in environments that support it. That’s why it’s important for platforms and institutions to recognise their responsibility in building a better internet.

Digital empathy is not just a nice idea – it’s a necessity. In a world where we increasingly communicate through screens, the quality of our online relationships depends on our behaviour. The internet can be a place of understanding, exchange, and community – but only if we choose to make it so.

A culture of respect online doesn’t appear on its own. We need to pause, listen, and communicate with the intention to understand, not to win.

Next time you comment, debate, or send a message, remember:

  • Your tone doesn’t travel with your words.
  • The person on the other side has feelings, just like you.
  • Empathy is not weakness – it’s the strength of a modern human being.

Be an example of a respectful culture in your online community. Not because you have to, but because you know it can be different.

 

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