Technology Society's Social Change: A Preeminent Form Of Soc

Technology Societysocialchangea Preeminent Form Of Social Activism

Technology & Society #SocialChange A preeminent form of social activism today is what has been termed “hashtag activism” (Dewey, 2014), essentially the movement to spread awareness online regarding social issues embraced and defined as important by well-known public figures and ordinary people alike. Hashtag activism is conducted on Twitter, an Internet platform actively used by 255 million account holders across the world and passively followed by millions more (Twitter, 2014). According to a study conducted for the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project, in 2013, 18% of online adults had Twitter accounts (a 2% increase from the year before) (Duggan & Smith, 2014). Twitter is not the only online platform used for social activism, but it has played a part in a number of broad public campaigns, such as the effort to capture alleged war criminal Joseph Kony, wanted for crimes of mass murder and rape in Uganda (#Kony2012), and the effort to draw attention to injustice in the killing of Trayvon Martin and the subsequent acquittal of the man who shot him, George Zimmerman (#JusticeforTrayvon).

In the spring of 2014, a major campaign of hashtag activism was undertaken in response to the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from a provincial Nigerian boarding school. Outrage over the girls’ abduction by a self-proclaimed radical Islamic group called Boko Haram (which means “Western education is a sin” in the local Hausa language) spread quickly in April and May of that year from domestic Nigerian activists and the young women’s aggrieved parents to become a global movement functioning primarily online through #BringBackOurGirls. Among the political and cultural luminaries tweeting their support of the kidnapped girls and demanding their safe return were First Lady Michelle Obama, British prime minister David Cameron, media personalities Ellen DeGeneres and Piers Morgan, young Pakistani activist for women’s and girls’ rights Malala Yousafzai, and even celebrities like Chris Rock and Amy Poehler.

By the beginning of May, #BringBackOurGirls had accrued well over 2 million tweets (McGann, 2014). Online appeals also spurred public protests outside Nigeria, including demonstrations in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., calling for the safe return of the kidnapped girls. Hashtag activism is, arguably, a potentially powerful technological instrument of social activism. First, it is a means for raising awareness of issues that might otherwise go unnoticed in our information-saturated modern world, particularly if well-known figures involve themselves in campaigns (as was the case in the #BringBackOurGirls campaign). Supporters of social media activism point out that heightened public awareness can put pressure on officials who are in a position to make or change policies or foster action on actionable issues (Seay, 2014).

Second, hashtag activism has the potential to draw together concerned individuals and groups across the globe who might not otherwise have a means for uniting around a common cause. Such activism is not without its critics, however. It has been termed “slacktivism” and “armchair activism.” According to a Washington Post article on this modern phenomenon, “Users are urged to ‘like’ posts and pages on Facebook, share Twitter and blog posts with everyone they know, and to create videos or take a picture for Instagram relating to their cause” (Seay, 2014). “Slacktivism” has been the subject of recent social scientific research in which it was defined as the “willingness to perform a relatively costless, token display of support for a social cause, with an accompanying lack of willingness to devote significant effort to meaningful change” (Kristofferson, White, & Peloza, 2014, p. 1149). The researchers examined the question of whether “slacktivism” is likely to translate into more substantial (more costly or time-consuming or long-term) engagement with a cause. Interestingly, they found that those whose initial “activism” was private rather than public (for instance, writing a letter to a member of Congress versus “liking” or posting on Facebook) were more likely to engage deeply in the cause of interest. Public proclamations of interest were less likely to translate into meaningful engagement. Online social activism is likely to be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future, and we are likely to see hashtag and similar campaigns that seek our attention to a range of social, political, economic, and environmental issues.

Sociological engagement with this phenomenon is still in its infancy. What would you like to know about it? How would you go about researching online social activism? Think It Through — What are the strengths of online activism? What are its weaknesses? In what cases might it be more or less effective in fostering social change? (J. 476) J., Chambliss, W., Eglitis, S.. Discover Sociology, 2nd Edition. SAGE Publications, Inc, 01/2015. VitalBook file.

Paper For Above instruction

In contemporary society, online social activism has emerged as a predominant and influential form of social change, facilitated chiefly through the medium of social media platforms such as Twitter. This digital activism, commonly referred to as “hashtag activism,” has transformed the landscape of social movements, enabling rapid dissemination of information, mobilization of supporters, and global outreach with minimal physical presence. This paper explores the strengths and weaknesses of online activism, evaluates its effectiveness in fostering real social change, and examines strategies for further research in this domain.

The Strengths of Online Activism

One of the primary advantages of online activism is its ability to raise awareness efficiently on a massive scale. Platforms like Twitter can reach millions within seconds, allowing social issues that might otherwise remain obscure to gain rapid visibility. Campaigns such as #Kony2012 and #BringBackOurGirls demonstrate the capacity of digital activism to spotlight issues and mobilize international audiences swiftly (Tufekci, 2017). The swiftness and reach of social media enable advocacy campaigns to bypass traditional media gatekeeping, allowing grassroots movements to gain prominence without relying solely on mainstream news outlets (Karpf, 2012).

Another significant strength is the capacity of online activism to unite disparate groups and individuals across geographical boundaries. Digital platforms foster community building by providing spaces for individuals with shared interests or causes to connect, collaborate, and strategize. The global participation observed in campaigns like #JusticeforTrayvon exemplifies how online networks can foster solidarity and collective action without necessitating physical gatherings (Bennett & Segerberg, 2013). Additionally, the low cost of participation—simply liking, sharing, or tweeting—lowers barriers to involvement, making activism accessible to a broader demographic, including marginalized populations (Christensen, 2011).

However, despite these merits, online activism also faces notable limitations.

Weaknesses and Challenges of Online Activism

Critics often refer to online activism as “slacktivism” or “armchair activism,” suggesting that such efforts may lack tangible impact or fail to translate into meaningful social change. The minimal effort involved—liking a post or sharing a video—may foster a false sense of accomplishment without necessitating substantial commitment or intervention (Kristofferson et al., 2014). Research indicates that public displays of support tend to be less effective at fostering deep engagement and sustained activism compared to private, more effortful actions like writing letters or participating in protests (Bail et al., 2019).

Moreover, online activism is vulnerable to various forms of slacktivism, where individuals participate superficially. This superficial engagement can lead to “clicktivism,” which may generate awareness but does not necessarily produce policy change or ground-level activism. Critics argue that the echo chamber effect—where individuals are exposed only to viewpoints reinforcing their beliefs—can further inhibit critical reflection and limit the potential for genuine societal change (Boulianne, 2015).

Another challenge is the transient nature of digital campaigns. Viral hashtags often experience short-lived popularity, and without sustained effort, their impact diminishes over time. Furthermore, online activism can be co-opted or misused by malicious actors, including governments or organizations aiming to spread misinformation or suppress dissent (Howard et al., 2011). These limitations suggest that online activism, while powerful in raising awareness, must be complemented by offline actions for lasting social impact.

Effectiveness and Strategies for Enhancing Online Social Activism

Despite criticisms, online activism has demonstrated effectiveness in specific contexts. For instance, raising awareness about human rights abuses or mobilizing support for social justice initiatives has achieved tangible results when paired with offline actions (Tufekci, 2017). Campaigns like #MeToo illustrate how digital movements can catalyze real-world legal and cultural shifts — prompting policy changes and societal conversations that endure beyond the digital sphere (McGonigal, 2019).

To enhance its efficacy, online activism must integrate with broader strategies: combining digital campaigns with community outreach, lobbying efforts, and direct action. Building sustained networks that bridge online and offline worlds encourages deeper engagement and policy influence. Additionally, fostering digital literacy and critical thinking can help users recognize superficial support versus impactful activism, elevating the quality of participation (Loader & Mercea, 2011).

Future research directions include examining the long-term influence of online activism on policy change, understanding the motivators and barriers for different demographic groups, and developing models to measure the actual social impact of digital campaigns (Valenzuela et al., 2018). Quantitative and qualitative research methods, such as surveys, interviews, and social network analysis, can uncover nuanced insights into how online activities translate into tangible societal improvements.

In conclusion, online social activism is a potent but complex tool for social change. Its strengths lie in rapid awareness-raising, global connectivity, and low barriers to participation, while its weaknesses involve superficial engagement, fleeting attention, and susceptibility to misuse. Recognizing these aspects can help activists strategize more effectively, combining digital campaigns with offline initiatives to create meaningful and lasting societal impact. As digital platforms evolve and become further embedded in daily life, understanding and harnessing the potential of online activism remains paramount for future social movements.

References

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