Teaching Empathy in the Digital Age

To address unkind behavior on social media, educators should focus on teaching students to imagine the impact of their messages before sending them. This involves encouraging students to consider the feelings and reactions of the recipient. Implementing routines and habits that foster empathy can help students develop positive online behavior. Students should be prompted to ask themselves questions like: What will be the emotional impact on the other person? How will this affect their opinion of me? Is there a chance my message could be misinterpreted? By rethinking and adapting empathy education to the digital world, schools can empower students to use social media responsibly, reduce conflict, and promote positive interactions.