New nationwide survey reveals that the average Brit says they do 132 ‘good deeds’ every year

Nationwide research carried out by GoFundMe, has revealed that 79% of people surveyed believe that Britain is as community minded as ever, with the acknowledgment that ‘community’ now extends to our online world.

The top ranking online acts of kindness include; liking Instagram, Facebook or Twitter posts to make someone feel good, sending supportive comments to friends on social media when they seem down and ticking the gift aid box online when buying a ticket or donating to a charity.

Good Deeds for the modern age

  • 43% Like Instagram/Facebook/Twitter posts to make someone feel good
  • 41% Send supportive comments to friends on social media when they seem
    down
  • 40% Tick the gift aid box online when buying a ticket or giving to a
    charity
  • 35% Promote a small business by leaving a positive review online
  • 31% Give positive reviews to books/films/albums that you like
  • 27% Support an online fundraising project
  • 21% Sending money to charity instead of paper christmas cards
  • 20% Endorse someone on LinkedIn
  • 12% Keeping people updated in community based WhatsApp groups
  • 10% Connect two people with an email introduction

Online acts of kindness are more likely to come from women too. 54% of female respondents would like friends social media posts to make them feel better, as opposed to just 29% of men surveyed.

John Coventry from GoFundMe, said: "As we’ve moved our lives increasingly online we’ve found incredible ways of showing kindness and support for others, whether it’s being there when they’re down or chipping in at times of crisis.

"At its very best the internet bring people closer together and gives them tools to help each other - whatever people need and whenever they need it and we see that every minute of every day at GoFundMe."

‘Real life’ good deeds continue too. Those we are most likely to perform include holding doors open, taking in deliveries for neighbours, and donating clothes to charity.

But it’s not all good news, some of the major ways of showing our love and support have fallen by the wayside including helping neighbours with shopping and cooking meals for those in need. One in 10 respondents also said that they no longer write or send birthday cards, due to lack of time.

However, GoFundMe’s research revealed an awareness of this and a desire to do more, 41% of those surveyed said that they would do more good deeds if they had the time, 35% would if they had someone to tell them to do it and 32% would, if they had more money.

Jaime Thurston, kindness expert and author of the book Kindness, The Little Thing that Matters Most, said: "Even a small act of kindness can make a huge difference to someone’s life. Both giving and receiving kindness has positive effects on the brain and on the heart. Technology has opened up additional avenues of kindness and I’m delighted to see GoFundMe highlight the many modern acts of kindness that exist today."