When it seems that negative messaging has gotten out of control a tiny spark of optimism can ignite a movement to change those negative thoughts. I first noticed the #kindnessmatters hashtag on Twitter (the social media website now known as X) and I admit that I knew little of this hashtag's origin when I first began tagging it to my Twitter and Facebook posts. I just knew that I wanted to be part of the movement to eliminate the anger, fear, and hurt of the many negative social media posts. There was indeed nothing wrong with my using it in this manner. This is how the tag was intentionally created to be used.
The campaign originated in memory of Peyton A. James a victim of bullying who committed suicide at the age of 13. Although Peyton lost his life to bullying this hashtag is not restricted to this use. It is a campaign created to make a positive change wherever it is needed. Today the kindness matters tag is used to encourage positive posts and to eliminate the hurt of negative messaging. Hashtag it.
Social Media Platforms Have a Message to Share
There are tremendous benefits in the use of these social media platforms so they are now used as an important tool to spread messages that members want to get out there. This has been glaringly obvious by their use in past election campaigns. Unfortunately along with the candidates information also came many negative and false information posts as well. It is an aspect of social media that is as old as the platforms themselves.
Messages are quickly sent out to millions of people and these posts can and do affect attitudes around the world in literally the blink of an eye. Bullying, racist messaging, fear mongering, misinformation and hate, it is amazing how infectious a campaign can be. This shows how greatly the words you voice really do matter. The hashtag #kindnessmatters strives to change attitudes. It a tool to change the hurtful messages to those of kindness and compassion. Anyone can use it. Attach the # pound sign to posts that portray good deeds, happy thoughts, or kindly messages.
Still Confused on How Tagging Keywords Works?
Along with the rise in social network popularity there also came a need to narrow down the massive bulk of information being thrown in our direction. Let's face it, there is a lot of information on the internet so narrowing our view down to posts of interest makes these easier to locate. Hashtagging helps direct you to the posts and articles you most want to discover. A hashtag is the pound sign on your keyboard # and it is used to put focus onto a specific topic.
Fact vs fiction: information or propaganda. There is a lot of misinformation online. Much of this is used for personal or political gain but these campaigns are also created to intentionally spread fear, hate, or hurt to specific individuals. Social media is certainly not immune to this influx of propaganda posting and is in fact a prime feeding ground for this negative behaviour.
If you have visited Facebook or X I am sure you have seen some of the scam propaganda that exists there. Perhaps you have even shared some of it.
This sharing of something people want to be true has become so subversive that it no longer seems to matter whether the information is true or propaganda. It is shared regardless of its authenticity and it is this continual sharing that insures the successful transaction of the lie. Millions of people view and are affected by the campaign messages they see online.
The spreading of fiction vs fact has become so rampant that these platforms are stepping up to stop the spread of misinformation.
Be responsible. Prejudice hurts and you can help stop its spread. Blanket statements are rarely ever true. The world is comprised of individuals and we each have our own personal morals and merits. Don't fall for the propaganda. Get the facts. Is it factual? Is it harmful? Who will be hurt by it? Does it promote a blanket assumption based on race, religion, age, or sex
Is this a positive message
Is this an informative message
Is it from a reputable source.
