Social media often receives a bad rap in the headlines. Critics are quick to highlight lunch pictures, political rants and other less appealing aspects of these platforms. But can we really blame them for focusing on the negative?

When we venture into the world of social media, we often encounter individuals who seem to take perverse pleasure in publicly shaming us, discrediting our opinions or simply unleashing a barrage of random thoughts on our favorite posts.

The truth is, trolls are all too common, and our ability to change their perspectives is limited. However, there are meaningful steps we can take to address the negative aspects lurking in the depths of comment sections.

1. Send a Kind Message: Reach out to someone through a direct message (DM) with a friendly note.

2. Spread Compliments: Take a moment to compliment someone on their post or achievements.

3. Support Local Businesses: Share the content of local or small business owners to give them a digital boost.

4. Express Gratitude in Person: When you meet someone in real life, let them know how much you appreciate their positive presence on social media.

5. Show You Care: If someone shares their struggles online, offer words of support and care.

6. Embrace the Furry Friends: Share pictures of your pets – whether dogs or cats – to spread some joy.

In essence, the antidote to online negativity is always kindness, compassion, love and — surprise — a healthy dose of memes.

While these actions might not eliminate trolls overnight, they can brighten someone else's day and, in turn, brighten your own. It all begins with a commitment to share an act of love online every day, fostering a culture that aims to enhance everyone's lives through digital connectivity.

So, let's fire up our browsers and apps and do our part to make the digital social world a little bit brighter.