Going viral: what social media activists need to know Large social movements, like the Black Lives Matter Movement, have shown the immense power that digital platforms like Instagram and Twitter hold in recruiting supporters and helping to enact meaningful, enduring change in a society that has long been defined by its . At present, politicians are forced to . But the best use of social networks is about what you want to achieve. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube… whatever your social media platform of choice, there are tons of connections to be made with individuals and organizations that share the same values and goals as you do. How a 20-year-old Jackson activist is using social media to promote change Kailynn Johnson 12/8/2021. Namibian activists raised national and international attention by making the case public on social media, which put the Namibian legal system and government under significant pressure, reaffirming that social media remains an important space for raising the voices of groups that can otherwise be silenced. By Chase Puentes. Some researchers have offered a more nuanced theory. Print media and word of mouth being the main forms of recruitment for the march, and without the tool of social media, 25,000 marchers came together in unity for the march in Washington, DC. By Monica Anderson, Skye Toor, Lee Rainie and Aaron Smith. Features such as feeds, profiles, and groups on social platforms provide global access to organizations that can promote and increase visibility by sharing and networking. At the age of 15, Brown found . Instagram account @soyouwantotalkabout , which has since been changed to @so.informed, became one of the most influential activist accounts, known for its informative (and aesthetic) infographics about current events. Do a survey about the issue and share the results. It is however, important to look at how technology has come to influence how we view and participate in activism in the digital age. Here's why: Advertisement. The Women's March was organized through Facebook after the 2016 election. Hanoi, Jan 1, 2022 (AFP): A court in Vietnam on Friday (Dec 31, 2021) handed a five year jail term to an activist for social media posts criticising the government. Activism on social media allows for the amplification of voices to be heard on matters on inequality and injustices that occur every day. You can be an activist in your classroom. If you want to join in and make a difference, it's important to do more than to just follow the trends and use the right hashtags. 4. I think the students felt drawn to her because she was . Social media is a growing trend as it is increasingly becoming essential in the daily life of people. Technology is a significant portion of people's lives, and information consumed online can greatly impact people's lives and ways of thinking, as well as American society as a whole. Former officer testifies in her own defense over fatal shooting of Daunte Wright. Take a look at some of the pros and cons of social media activism. The use of blogs, social media sites like Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, videos, memes and online petitions are just a few examples of how words travel fast online and can incite quick and effective action. This may seem like an obvious benefit, but it has completely shifted the way we receive, conceptualize, and share information. Social media has proven itself to be an indispensable tool for activists. Deciding on whether activism on social media does any good is thus a complex question. Applications such as Facebook and Twitter allow users to voice their opinions on current events. Key points. Social media activism has had its fair share of criticism, from being called performative in some cases, to clogging up hashtags normally used to share information for protests. The primary benefit to using social media in activism campaigns is social media's ability to spread information faster than ever before. State a clear message introduced the Ending Qualified Immunity Act , which, if passed, would help ensure that police officers who participate in misconduct . Viral video footage of police brutality against African Americans sparked outrage, reminding people . The best thing about social media activism is how accessible it can be. I (a white woman) work at a pro-racial-justice nonprofit . Essay On Social Media Activism. Social media, especially Twitter, due to its pervasiveness and adoption, has provided the fundamental infrastructure to this activist movement. Watson said . Activism in the Social Media Age As the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag turns 5 years old, a look at its evolution on Twitter and how Americans view social media's impact on political and civic engagement. Social Media and Modern Activism. Be human Humanize your communication efforts. Environmental activists and NGOs spend a considerable amount of time Facebook posting and Tweeting. Understanding what people think and why is helpful in bringing about social change. Erick Sanchez has successfully orchestrated multiple online campaigns from convincing Chef José Andrés to pull out of the Trump International Hotel, to organizing a rally for Comet Ping Pong, a pizza place under attack from the far-right. I worked at a gas station and I considered myself an activist in the way that I engaged with the people I was interacting with every day. We are plucking at a cord that has not been . This crucial first step allows you to identify desired outcomes and helps keep the campaign on track. Know what it means to be a 21st-century social activist. To discuss its drawbacks and ways it might be useful, KUER's Caroline Ballard spoke with Kilo Zamora, an activist and professor at the University of Utah's School for Cultural and Social Transformation. 6. (WLBT) - Maisie Brown has never had a problem speaking up. Social media activists get a bad rep, but they can shed light on issues that otherwise would go unsupported and mobilise people on a scale the world has never seen before. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter can be amazing tools for It is however, important to look at how technology has come to influence how we view and participate in activism in the digital age. settles the matter of social media's role in activism, with the results of a variety of different social media actions, types of campaign and ways of using social media and posting on pages not being evidenced in the paper or, indeed, any others. Within a week my social media was completely saturated to the point where . introduced the Ending Qualified Immunity Act , which, if passed, would help ensure that police officers who participate in misconduct . Young people are at the forefront of that change, having grown up with the technology and having the skill to use it effectively. But out of all of the online platforms out there, Instagram activism has become an especially important part of the digital social justice ecosystem. In particular, social media has become a key part of how activist spaces build their groups of supporters and get traction to make a larger impact. It allows us to connect with people all over the world. You can be an activist on social media. As women's activism around #Metoo, #TimesUp #NiUnaMenos and other movements continue to build, social media is giving women a space to speak up and be heard. Former middle school teacher Le . Cullors-Brignac, one of the cofounders of the movement, reported to the CNN 2 : " Because of social media we reach people in the smallest corners of America. Key points. Young adults, once in the shadow of their parents, possess a powerful voice, constantly active through mobile technology. Performative activism is the use of online initiatives to increase a person's social capital. It is as of 2017 2.5 billion social media users worldwide, which is a vast number as there are 7.5 billion people in the world. 1. 2. From politicians and lawmakers to farmers and small business owners, conversations on social media are connecting women around the world so they can support one another in the push for . Social media is one of the most powerful forms of activism, and (dare I say) a catalyst for change. Print media and word of mouth being the main forms of recruitment for the march, and without the tool of social media, 25,000 marchers came together in unity for the march in Washington, DC. JACKSON, Miss. Meet Blacktivist Shar Bates: How To Be An Activist in the Social Media Age. Social media is revolutionizing how youth-led activism gains momentum. Social media plays an important role in increasing the accessibility to information as well as social movements. Why I decided to study feminist activism on social media. In today's social climate, one may be afraid to speak up about the many injustices seen around the nation. For the past decade, social media has been used to bring attention to movements all over the world. Inspiring stories of social activism, such as the Civil Rights movement and the fight against climate change, abound in history.And it is generally thought that the new social media era has helped . Individuals can enter and exit activist roles in a variety of ways. Along with social media, Turner says political involvement is another key way activists can show their support for a cause. Set goals and objectives Every strong social media campaign is grounded in goals and objectives that employ a S.M.A.R.T approach, in other words, one that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. (1, 2) As the usage of social media increases the world is becoming more globalized . Education and mobilization are the best possible outcomes of social media activism done right. As noted some causes have grown out of social media, but other causes have failed to gain traction. It's safe to say that her passion for speaking on issues that matter has landed her the designation as one of Jackson's most prominent modern-day activists. "Social media has revolutionized the 'long-distance relationship,'" Ryan Pascal, 17, told Teen Vogue, explaining that she organizes with other activists via Instagram DMs and uses Snapchat . Facebook and Twitter helped catapult the Arab Spring. Sujatha has completed an M.Phil in Women's Studies and her research interests include girlhood studies, feminist activism, women and technology, social media and popular culture. Address them head-on. Credit: BOB AL-greene > Life. There's a term for that: "slacktivism.". I believe that a mix of hashtag activism along with solid and concrete work for a movement is the ideal way to be an activist in this age of social media and technology. But with the rise in social media activism, the potential toxicity of 'performative activism' has also been brought to attention. Why I decided to study feminist activism on social media. She has co-directed the documentaries 'Aman ki Khoj: Dharavi's Search for Peace' and 'Take Back the . Social media has fundamentally changed the way activism is being conducted in the modern age. It can be easy to keep activism within the limits of social media, creating a cycle: you learn about something, repost it, and discuss it. His group says the misdemeanor court in the capital of Cairo fined the director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal rights, 10,000 Egyptian . This interview has been edited for length and clarity. During this turbulent period, a vast number of social issues have been raised, particularly surrounding the Criminal Justice . Since Tufekci's book was published, social media has helped represent—and, in some cases, helped organize—the Arab Spring 2.0, France's "Yellow Vest" movement, Puerto Rico's . Actions like organizing, going door-to-door for a campaign, or showing up for an in-person protest can be expensive and dangerous—especially for people of color and other marginalized people. BA Criminology student Aleesha Kaur Tamber explores the link between recent modern activist movements and social media platforms. Social media, especially Twitter, due to its pervasiveness and adoption, has provided the fundamental infrastructure to this activist movement. Social media activism can lead to a movement being reduced down to a trend due to the aesthetic of activism and the insincerity that can come with it. Social media will continue to inspire large-scale movements across the globe. Between Twitter . For example, overused phrases and carefully calibrated language tend to make company statements look templated. Social media activism is a catch-all term for activism that utilizes online platforms to work toward the goals of social or political movements. Social media activism often pops up in our current events, which can spark meaningful conversation in the classroom. But what is so exciting about Gen Z's passion is how it can be channeled into action, and that action has and will continue to make a real difference. Two reasons activism can occur online are the ease of communication and the possibility for anonymity. Following the death of George Floyd, I posted on my social media frequently in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. With racial and political unrest on the rise in 2020, social media activism saw a similar boom in popularity. I know this is a ridiculous question but bear with me. Sujatha has completed an M.Phil in Women's Studies and her research interests include girlhood studies, feminist activism, women and technology, social media and popular culture. The Women's March on Washington took place in January 2017 and boasted crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Since you're reading this article on a screen, chances are good that you have an account with at least one social media platform. Social media has created a platform for fake activism. They cited research that showed social media activism is a complement for offline engagement and that "sharing information about politics on social media predicted offline political activities . BLM influencers: 10 Black Lives Matter activists on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter you should follow John Legend, Ibram X. Kendi, Rachel Cargle, Ijeoma Oluo and top social media . (2014) for Leading Egyptian rights activist fined for social media post Nov 29, 2021 Nov 29, 2021 Updated Nov 29, 2021; FILE - Hossam Bahgat sits for a photograph, in his office at the Egyptian Initiative . Communication on social media platforms can lead to social and cultural change. In a nutshell, this is a person who uses modern communication technology, like text messaging, blogging, Twitter, and Facebook, to help bring about social change. Social media is a very accessible way for many individuals to be activists: for those who may not feel like they have voice otherwise, for those with transportation limitations, for those who cannot leave their homes, or for those who do not have ample free time, social media provides a unique platform for users to express solidarity with . ALESSIO PERRONE spoke to some experts in the field and gives some tips about how to use platforms successfully to promote social change How Social Media and Activism Work Together People have discovered new ways to communicate and collaborate through social media. However, one young woman coming straight from the "A . Although infographics sometimes present information that is commonly known, they fail to fully present ways that one can effectively contribute to the movement. "What I say to that is that social media and the . A court on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, has found Bahgat, a leading Egyptian human rights activist, guilty of insulting a judicial election commission in a tweet he posted last year following a national vote. Social media activism has promise — and perils. These are just a couple examples of how teens are using social media to support causes they care about. They can also be downright inaccessible for people with disabilities. Communication on social media platforms can lead to social and cultural change. In years past, breaking news was shared via television or daily newspapers. Along with social media, Turner says political involvement is another key way activists can show their support for a cause. Debates about activism take place in the media, in everyday conversations, and not least among activists themselves. The Great Parts of Social Media Activism #1- learning about important social issues-As someone who grew up in a very small town, I wasn't as exposed to many social issues outside of my area as I should have been.My teenage years were not spent on social media since I grew up when technology wasn't very big. Social media has become one of the primary mediums for activism and advocacy, no matter the topic or issue. For instance, in early June, Reps. Justin Amash (L-Mich.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) "I see a lot of people saying it's just 'clicktivism' and talking about how social justice on social media isn't real activism," Foxx says. 1. And, unfortunately, experts say that being unfiltered could cost you . Customers appreciate honesty. Is it ok to not use my social media to post about activism, racial justice, etc.? With social media, you can send more messages to more people, more quickly. Narratives about recent activist movements would differ without the social media record; social media allow events to be seen from the perspective of the protesters themselves, instead of relying on images and video captured by conventional media, thereby expanding the narrative consumed by the general public and consequently the narrative most . However, actions such as changing your profile picture to show your support towards the latest tragedy, retweeting a tweet that says "retweet in support of …" or taking a selfie at… Teen activists are using social media regularly. Every day they're participating in the same social media trends adults engage with too, and engaging in online discussion about these topics. I actually believe that activism applies to our everyday lives and that you can be an activist in whatever workspace you're in. Activists hold power in their words and can spark change through just an Instagram post. How a 20-year-old Jackson activist is using social media to promote change. She has co-directed the documentaries 'Aman ki Khoj: Dharavi's Search for Peace' and 'Take Back the . For instance, in early June, Reps. Justin Amash (L-Mich.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) Approximately 7 in 10 Americans use social media to share information, with 4.48 billion users worldwide. With the current political climate of America in mind, many turn to social media for answers and knowledge. Social Media Activism - 7 Qs with Erick Sanchez. The Women's March and other massive protests alike all started and were organised on social media, without the power of Instagram we might have never heard of self-made . The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown the world into chaos. So, now, with so much activism shifting to social media for so many, it's not so easy to delineate activist from worker bee. Social media is not a reliable source of knowledge in regards to activism. Social media has provided a dynamic avenue for activists to spread their messages and reach a wider audience on the global stage. There is the problem of performative activism that has come with it. Cullors-Brignac, one of the co-founders of the movement, reported to the CNN2: "Because of social media we reach people in the smallest corners of America. Kristofferson et al. Be afraid to be honest. Black Lives Matter began with a hashtag. This perspective is important to keep in mind as you . Two reasons activism can occur online are the ease of communication and the possibility for anonymity. People can and do see through inauthentic behavior. It is also someone who uses the traditional means, such as writing a book, giving speeches, holding a protest rally, etc. Some begin with a small involvement, such as helping with a street stall or attending a public meeting, and gradually become more engaged over the years, perhaps . For example, I remember when Greta Thunberg went viral for her incredibly impactful speeches that she was making around the world about environmentalism and climate change. Too afraid of the backlash, too afraid that their brand may be tarnished, or too afraid of the unknown. Social Media and Environmental Activism: An Evolving Relationship. Pro: social media spreads awareness. "Social media has revolutionized the 'long-distance relationship,'" Ryan Pascal, 17, told Teen Vogue, explaining that she organizes with other activists via Instagram DMs and uses Snapchat . The power of that voice was evident around the world, when four million young people—many under the age of twenty-five—protested across 150 countries in September to demand urgent […] Social media activism's goal should be to create change beyond the screen. Young adults aged 16-24 spend an average of over three hours on social media daily. A Brief History of Social Media Activism. 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