Somewhere between asking about the “girl president” who was “dancing in a video next to 50 cent” and telling us to never, ever feel like we’re “less than fucking perfect” Pink cemented herself as one of the strongest, most confident and inspirational public figures of our time. This woman is undoubtedly a powerhouse with the kind of no-BS attitude we all dream of. It’s crazy to think that this same strong, confident woman was reduced to tears recently after reading nasty comments aimed at her on the internet.
Appearing on The Ellen Show, Pink has opened up about how she “cried so hard” after posting a photo of her kids on Insta (where her son Jameson happened to be nappy-less,) prompting comments like “someone should call child services.”
She admits some of the comments were simply suggesting she be more careful about what she posts online.“And they’re right,” the singer says, “but there’s a nice way to say that. There’s a kind way to be online.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Here are 10 easy ways we can all be kind online (and we reckon Pink would approve):
1. KEEP SCROLLING
Kind of like that good, old saying “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” If someone posts a photo of something that triggers a negative reaction within you, guess what? You don’t actually have to comment on it. You don’t have to screen shot it and spread it to everyone you know. You can just keep scrolling!
The reality is that most people are innocently sharing their daily thoughts and snippets of their lives. Be mindful of your words. They stay on the internet, FOREVER.
2. DON’T MAKE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE SHIT:
Think about the intention behind your post or comment. If what you’re posting is for the sole purpose of shaming, ridiculing or making someone feel like shit, you don’t need to post it.
Go and vent to your nan instead. Grandmas are always good listeners.
3. CONSIDER HOW YOU WOULD INTERACT IN REAL LIFE:
Remember that time Blake Lively posted a sweet pic of hubby Ryan Reynolds holding their daughter James in a baby carrier? All hell broke loose because the baby was strapped in the wrong way. Imagine for a moment you actually saw a dad who’d made the same mistake in real life. Would you SCREAM AT THIS PERSON IN SOCIAL-MEDIA-CAPS-LOCK-STYLE AND TELL HIM HE’S THE WORST DAD IN THE WORLD?
No, you’d either ignore it or, you’d go up to him and say “hey, just letting you know you can buckle up this bit of the carrier so the baby can sit more comfortably and safely.”
It is possible to be helpful without being a dick.
4. ENGAGE IN RESPECTFUL DISCUSSION:
You’re an individual. You’re entitled to your opinion. You’re allowed to think differently to others. If someone posts something that perhaps you don’t agree with, you can either keep scrolling (see 1) or engage in respectful discussion. How do you do this exactly?
Without name-calling. Without putting someone else down. Without being threatening. Without stereotyping. Present your point of view. Back up your words. Be curious. Ask questions. Find out more. The best conversations happen when we all learn something new.
5. COMPLIMENTS GO A LONG WAY:
Positivity and kindness have a ripple effect. The more compliments and kind words you leave, the more of it will be reciprocated and the more of it you will see online.
And no, this isn’t about being fake. This is about genuinely finding the people or businesses that make you happy and letting them know about it.
6. STAND UP TO HATRED:
Bullying. Racism. Sexism. Ageism. Or any other “isms” I can’t think of right now – they shouldn’t have a place online (or anywhere in the world for that matter). If you notice someone has posted a comment or an image that is spreading hate, you have several options.
You don’t have to engage directly with the hateful poster. You can post supportive messages for the person being attacked instead. You can send them a DM and let them know you are there for them if they need to talk.
You can unfollow the account that’s spreading the hate. You can report the account to the social media sites who are mostly good at taking down offensive posts.
And yes, by all means you can call it out by engaging in respectful discussion (see 4).
7. DO A RANDOM ACT OF ONLINE KINDNESS:
“Like” someone’s page. Share their work (with permission and the right credits of course). Be encouraging of their endeavours or adventures. Post positive reviews for services you’re happy with. Send someone a “thank you” DM. Or a “keep up the good work” DM. Lift each other up.
8. GIVE PEOPLE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT:
You might not be happy with someone. You might think a service or product you’ve received isn’t up to scratch. I get it. But do you really need to publicly shame the person or company involved?
Isn’t it nicer to just sort it out privately with a phone call, email or DM? Wouldn’t you appreciate it if you were the person or company who had done something wrong? Make it a habit to make this your first point of resolution. Most people have good intentions. They don’t mean to do wrong by you. Give them the benefit of the doubt. It saves everyone the embarrassment, the public humiliation and the negative reviews.
9. RESPOND TO HATERS WITH KINDNESS:
A person’s negativity and cruelty says more about them than it does about you. If you respond with the same negativity and cruelty, then are you really any different to them?
Funnily enough, sometimes, it’s the ones spreading the hate that are in need of the most kindness. Sometimes, it’s worth thinking about why they are being so offensive? Hateful? A bully? What has happened in their life that is causing them to act this way? Do they feel insecure about something? Do they need to talk? Is it a cry for attention? For help?
Asking yourself these questions will, more often than not, help you shake off the haters à la Taylor Swift.
We love this response Jonah Hill had to one of his online trolls:
10. WHAT WOULD KEANU DO?
At Celebritykind, we have a saying: “As kind as Keanu.”
From his interactions with fans and co-stars to setting up a private charity to fund cancer research and children’s hospitals, it’s pretty clear this guy is the epitome of kindness. We are yet to hear a negative story about him. Everyone who has ever crossed his path is always bursting with a positive story.
So go on. If you’re ever unsure about how to react or respond to an online situation, ask yourself the question, what would Keanu do?
Do you have any other tips for online kindness? Please share them below.