Based on the development level of digital economy in each province from 2011-2021, this paper uses social network analysis to build an inter provincial digital economy network, analyze the characteristics of digital economy network, and further study the impact of digital economy development level and digital economy network status on spatial carbon emissions. The main conclusion is: (1)The digital economy network in China developed rapidly, with eastern provinces such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Shandong occupying a central position in the network; The development of the internet is characterized by the diffusion from the center to the surrounding areas and then to the periphery. (2) The digital economy network can significantly affect carbon emissions. The higher the level of development of the local digital economy network, the more conducive it is to promoting carbon reduction, while the lower the status of the digital economy network, the less conducive it is to promoting carbon reduction. (3) Economic development and energy intensity are important indirect channels through which the digital economy network affects carbon emissions. Therefore, this article proposes the view to attach great importance to the development differences of regional digital economy, fully leverage the network effect of digital economy through measures such as information sharing, technology spillover, and resource allocation, and achieve coordinated development of digital economy between regions to effectively promote carbon reduction.