For today’s Sunday Dialogue, The New York Times invited readers to discuss the tone of public discourse in the digital age. The conversation was sparked by a Letter to the Editor on the Rebecca Ann Sedwick cyberbullying tragedy from Mitch Horowitz, author of the forthcoming “One Simple Idea: How Positive Thinking Reshaped Modern Life.”
Here is my Reader Reaction:
To the Editor:
Kindness is free, but it’s become a luxury. In Mitch Horowitz’s October 21st Letter to the Editor urging that we “Bring Back Civility,” he underscores the importance of parents and teachers monitoring “online chatter”. I want to suggest a word swap, because the connotation of chatter doesn’t begin to reflect the pain and price of the digital damning that’s become as trendy as skinny jeans. Horowitz is right that an uglier and less empathic side of human behavior has been normalized – but why has being cruel become normal?
We are in a race to no place. Fueled by technology – smartphones, tablets, notebooks and sliders – society has accelerated to a pace at which necessary nurturing is neglected. Children need long hugs, long lectures and long timeouts. How is sound character supposed to stick if it’s imparted in a here-and-there, slapped-together kind of way (or not even taught at all)? We must systematically set an example for our kids.
Technology has contributed to values being lost in translation. It’s also given kids a wall to hide behind while they hurl hurt (they’re often doing so because they’re hurting inside themselves). No one wants to learn of another sweet-faced 12-year-old taking his or her own life. So in remembrance of Rebecca Ann Sedwick, here are “10 Tips to Press Delete on Cyberbullying”.
Leigh Ann Errico is the founder of Wear the Cape and the kidkind foundation, dedicated to restoring the power of kindness and good character.
To read Horowitz’ piece, titled “Bring Back Civility,” and other reader responses, click here. Why do you think civility has plummeted?