Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya used the closing of the Miss Tebara Festival in Nausori on Saturday to deliver a timely and necessary message. Choose kindness online!
Addressing the crowd, Ms Tabuya urged people to think carefully about the content they share on digital platforms, warning that careless words and impulsive posts can cause real and lasting harm. Her message was simple yet powerful. “Think before you click, pause before you post.”
In an era where social media dominates public discourse, Ms Tabuya reminded the audience that digital platforms can be tools for progress, connection and empowerment. However, they can also be used as weapons that destroy reputations, mental wellbeing and lives. The difference, she said, lies in the choices people make.
Speaking candidly, the minister highlighted the challenges faced by public figures, including the young women who participated in the festival. Increased visibility, she noted, often brings unfair scrutiny, cruel commentary and online abuse, much of it from strangers hiding behind screens.
She encouraged the carnival queens to remain strong and grounded, reminding them not to measure their worth by hurtful remarks posted online. Her message extended beyond the stage, reaching young girls in the audience who look up to these role models. She urged them to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams and remain confident even when faced with criticism or adversity.
Ms Tabuya also called on the wider community to take shared responsibility for creating a safer and healthier online environment. Kindness, she stressed, should not be optional, it should be a standard.
Admittedly, this is easier said than done. The digital age has given people unprecedented freedom to express themselves, often without filters or consequences. With instant access to online platforms and a constant flow of information, encouraging restraint and mindfulness can be a challenge.
The speed at which information travels online compounds the problem. A single post, written in anger or frustration, can be shared within seconds and viewed by thousands. Once released, it cannot be easily taken back. This reality makes it even more important to nurture a mindset where emotions are kept in check and personal agendas are not pushed at the expense of others.
Ultimately, the issue comes down to responsibility, personal, social and moral. Every post, comment and share contributes to the broader digital culture. What may seem harmless or justified in the moment can have serious repercussions later, not only for others but for the person who posted it.
At a human level, disagreements and misunderstandings are inevitable. However, personal or negative discussions can often be handled privately, with apologies or conciliatory efforts made where appropriate. Unfortunately, widely used platforms such as Facebook make this difficult, as disputes quickly become public spectacles with thousands of observers, further inflaming tensions and complicating efforts at resolution.
This reality should not discourage engagement, but rather encourage better control, greater awareness and a deeper appreciation of the power we hold at our fingertips. Exercising common sense online is essential.
Ms Tabuya’s message serves as a timely reminder that technology reflects who we are as a society. If we want a more respectful, compassionate and united community, that effort must begin with how we treat one another online and offline. Choosing kindness in today’s digital world may even be seen as an act of strength!
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