Cyber Explorer Skills · lesson 11 of 16 · 15 min
Digital kindness challenge
The digital kindness challenge is about putting everything you have learned about being a good digital citizen into action. Kindness online is not just about avoiding mean comments — it is about actively making the internet a better place for everyone.
Small acts of kindness online add up. One encouraging comment, one report of harmful content, one time you stood up for someone — these things matter. When more people practice digital kindness, the internet becomes safer and more positive for everyone.
Your kindness challenge: This week, leave three genuine kind comments online, report one piece of harmful content if you see it, and share one cybersecurity tip with a friend or family member.
Acts of digital kindness
Leave kind comments Write genuine, encouraging comments on friends’ work and posts. Stand up for others If you see someone being bullied online, leave a supportive comment and report the behavior. Report harmful content Use the report button when you see bullying, inappropriate content, or scams. Share what you know Teach a friend or family member one cybersecurity tip you have learned. Do not spread rumors Refuse to share unverified information about others — even if it seems interesting. Celebrate others Acknowledge and celebrate others’ achievements online — it costs nothing and means a lot.
Why active kindness matters
There is a difference between passive kindness (not being mean) and active kindness (doing something positive). Active kindness has a much bigger impact. When you leave an encouraging comment, you might make someone’s entire day. When you report harmful content, you might protect someone from real harm.
Being an upstander — someone who takes action when they see something wrong — is one of the most powerful things you can do online. It takes courage, but it makes a real difference.
Key words to remember
- Digital kindness
- Active kindness
- Passive kindness
- Upstander
- Ripple effect
Match each digital kindness act to its impact
Digital kindness — quiz
You see someone being bullied in the comments of a video. What is the kindest and safest response?
- Join in to fit in with the crowd
- Ignore it — it is not your problem
- Leave a supportive comment for the person being bullied and report the bullying
- Share the video so more people see it
Answer: Leave a supportive comment for the person being bullied and report the bullying
Supporting the target and reporting the behavior are the kindest and most responsible actions.
Digital kindness only means not posting mean things — you do not need to actively do kind things.
- True
- False
Answer: False
True digital kindness is active — it means encouraging others, standing up for people, and making the internet better.
Which of these is an active act of digital kindness?
- Scrolling past a mean comment without reacting
- Leaving an encouraging comment on a classmate’s project
- Sharing someone’s embarrassing photo
- Ignoring a friend who is being bullied online
Answer: Leaving an encouraging comment on a classmate’s project
Active kindness means doing something positive — like leaving an encouraging comment.
What is the difference between active and passive kindness?
- There is no difference
- Active kindness means doing something positive; passive kindness means just not being mean
- Passive kindness is more impactful
- Active kindness means being kind only in person
Answer: Active kindness means doing something positive; passive kindness means just not being mean
Active kindness has a much bigger impact than simply avoiding unkind behavior.
Reporting harmful content online is an act of digital kindness.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Reporting harmful content protects others from harm — it is a powerful act of digital kindness.
What is an upstander?
- Someone who ignores unkind behavior
- Someone who joins in with unkind behavior
- Someone who takes action when they see unkind or harmful behavior
- Someone who reports every post they see
Answer: Someone who takes action when they see unkind or harmful behavior
An upstander takes action — they do not just watch or ignore unkind behavior.
What is the digital kindness challenge?
- Never posting anything online
- Actively making the internet a better place through kind actions
- Only using the internet for schoolwork
- Reporting every post you see
Answer: Actively making the internet a better place through kind actions
The digital kindness challenge is about taking positive action — not just avoiding negative behavior.
Sharing a cybersecurity tip with a friend is an act of digital kindness.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Helping others stay safe online is a form of digital kindness — you are protecting them.
What is the ripple effect of digital kindness?
- Kindness slows down the internet
- One act of kindness can inspire others to be kind too
- Kindness only affects the person you are kind to
- There is no ripple effect online
Answer: One act of kindness can inspire others to be kind too
Acts of kindness can inspire others — creating a ripple effect that makes the internet better for everyone.
What should you do if you see someone spreading rumors about a classmate online?
- Share the rumors — they might be true
- Ignore it
- Do not share the rumors and consider telling a trusted adult
- Ask the person spreading rumors for more details
Answer: Do not share the rumors and consider telling a trusted adult
Refusing to spread rumors protects someone’s reputation. Telling a trusted adult can help stop the harm.
Previous lesson: Trusted adult check-in
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