  Incivility remains a major challenge for online discussion platforms, to such
an extent that even conversations between well-intentioned users can often
derail into uncivil behavior. Traditionally, platforms have relied on
moderators to -- with or without algorithmic assistance -- take corrective
actions such as removing comments or banning users. In this work we propose a
complementary paradigm that directly empowers users by proactively enhancing
their awareness about existing tension in the conversation they are engaging in
and actively guides them as they are drafting their replies to avoid further
escalation.
  As a proof of concept for this paradigm, we design an algorithmic tool that
provides such proactive information directly to users, and conduct a user study
in a popular discussion platform. Through a mixed methods approach combining
surveys with a randomized controlled experiment, we uncover qualitative and
quantitative insights regarding how the participants utilize and react to this
information. Most participants report finding this proactive paradigm valuable,
noting that it helps them to identify tension that they may have otherwise
missed and prompts them to further reflect on their own replies and to revise
them. These effects are corroborated by a comparison of how the participants
draft their reply when our tool warns them that their conversation is at risk
of derailing into uncivil behavior versus in a control condition where the tool
is disabled. These preliminary findings highlight the potential of this
user-centered paradigm and point to concrete directions for future
implementations.
