On down-voting students

In one thread from yesterday, a student addressed a question I asked them. Their answer let me and others address what was behind their original question (which was an odd question). They have since been down-voted to -7 (last I checked), for their helpful wrong answer.

Please, can we reduce down-voting of students who are trying to learn. We want them to participate in the discussion; it helps us focus on what is needed. They make mistakes; that is why they came here. Our goal here is to help them, not grade them. (The incident I refer to above is not uncommon.)

What about bad posts, such as not showing any work or such? Asking for more is good, and often yields positive results. Down-voting per se doesn't help. Why not just ask for what we want, constructively.

Also... If someone posts an incorrect explanation, it is constructive to reply to it and 'fix' it. Simply down-voting it serves no purpose. I see many 'good' replies get down-voted.

Frankly, I would be happy to see the whole voting thing turned off for a group such as this. But that is extreme, and not the point here. Just use a lighter touch when your foot is on the down-vote pedal, and remember why we are here.