Introduction
Social media plays a crucial role in contemporary societies and many people’s daily lives. Besides entertainment, social network sites provide a platform for sharing news, opinions, and even acts of kindness. Some individuals think that these acts, such as volunteering and charitable work, are simply performative. According to this outlook, people only report their deeds to get as many likes as possible, without genuinely caring about the world.
Conversely, some individuals view these shared acts of charity as a source of inspiration that can encourage others to be more thoughtful. Personally, I agree with this opinion and think that sharing such deeds on social platforms can make the world a kinder place. Nevertheless, both sides have strong arguments, and it is critical to analyze them.
Analysis of the Perspectives
When people criticize acts of kindness on social networks, they believe the person who shared the deed is simply seeking attention and recognition. In other words, if someone shares a post about themselves donating money to charity, critics say it is not a genuinely kind act. It means that if the person truly wants to express their kindness, they must do it without expecting anything in return. On the other hand, sharing such deeds on social media results in discussion, attention, and recognition. Therefore, based on this outlook, acts of kindness on social media are performative and lack genuine value.
According to the second opinion, kind acts can inspire and motivate others to become more considerate. One example is when someone sees on social media that their friend has adopted a stray cat, they might want to adopt one as well. As a result, more animals can find a happy home, and public safety might also improve because fewer strays can become violent when humans threaten them. This case demonstrates that sharing acts of charity can be highly beneficial and can influence other individuals to make positive changes in society. For this reason, social media can serve as an excellent instrument for making the world a better place.
Another strong piece of evidence for the second position is the scientific proof. Research from UCLA’s Bedari Kindness Institute has shown that people can be affected by others’ actions (Wolf, 2023). Scientists conducted a study in which one group watched a video showing how one man helps others, and the other group watched a film about sports.
At the end of the day, they offered participants the opportunity to donate to the children’s hospital if they wished. As a result, individuals in the first group donated 25% more money than those in the second group. This example demonstrates that kindness can be contagious, and people are more likely to perform kind acts when they see others doing so as well. This argument confirms that reporting good deeds on social platforms can spread kindness.
Conclusion
Both examined outlooks have solid arguments, and one’s opinion depends on one’s worldview. Personally, I think sharing acts of kindness on social media is a great thing. It shows people that good deeds are possible and can inspire others to make a positive change. If everyone could perceive these actions with an open mind, I believe that the world could transform into a kinder place.
Reference
Wolf, J. (2023). Is kindness contagious? UCLA.