Based on the development level of digital economy in each province from 2011 to 2021, social network analysis was conducted to build an inter provincial digital economy network, the characteristics of digital economy network was analyzed, and the impact of digital economy development level and digital economy network status on spatial carbon emissions were further explored. Research finds that the digital economy network in China developed rapidly, Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Shandong occupy 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. 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. Economic development and energy intensity are important indirect channels through which the digital economy network affects carbon emissions. Therefore, the formulation of relevant policies should attach great importance to the differences of regional digital economy by means of the measures like information sharing, technology spillover, and resource allocation. The network effect of the digital economy should be leveraged to achieve coordinated development among regions in the digital economy and effectively promote carbon reduction.