How Active Are We in Activism?

Social media is being used more and more for activism. It's a fact! From large corporations to individuals starting, building, supporting, or criticizing causes large and small. We are talking about policy change, programs, topics of debate, and more. With activism growing in social media culture, what does that mean for us as users and consumers of social media?

This topic is especially unique in that it is the first topic we have discussed where the consumer of social media can also be a participant. Typically these topics have a clear divide between content creators and content consumers. The accounts have separate purposes even if an individual might wear both hats at times (I know a thing or two about this experience). However, with activism, a personal account with no alternative purpose can and does participate in activism. Average individuals can express their support for causes with hashtags, tags, reposts, comments, posts, profiles, and more. Their account does not turn into an account solely to promote the cause, yet they are still participating in the creating role.

So, we see that, as users of social media, individuals have greater access to participate in movements than ever before. No longer bound by location or time, people can express their support of a nationwide movement before they even get up in the morning. And, they can encourage others to do so as well.

Activism seems to be contagious. Dare I say it can be a trend? In my generation, I often notice people are quick to support causes. Personally, I have not chosen to use my social media to advocate, so I turn the conversation over to you. Those of you who have or do use their social media to participate in activism: What's your why? How much research went into participating? Were you influenced by family, friends, peers, or those you follow? Did you rally any other support? Discuss it!

Now, those of us who choose not to use their social media to participate in activism: What's your why? What opinion (positive or negative) do you hold of social media and activism? Have you been influenced by family, friends, peers, or those you follow to choose not to participate? Have you done research on any of the topics you do not want to advocate for/do you have a reason for not advocating for any specific causes?

As someone who falls into this category, I can speak to my personal experience. I choose not to participate in activism on my social media for a few reasons: I do not feel strongly about most causes I see on my feed, I do not believe social media to be the most effective way to lobby for a cause, and (in my opinion that you are 100% allowed to disagree with) activism on social media tends to make me grumpy. Now I will come back and address this last point in a bit, but first, most of the time I do not choose to advocate for issues or causes I see those I follow promoting because I do not feel very strongly about these issues. There are many topics that friends or family want to promote societal change or ask for government action, and many of these topics I do not feel fired up about. Secondly, I think there are some ways to advocate that are more effective than social media. For example. I feel strongly about being low waste and doing your part to steward the earth and its resources well. However, I cannot recall a time when I posted, reposted, used hashtags, tagged, or changed my profile for this cause. I am one person with a reach about as wide as my family and friends. In other words, I know the people who follow me. By having conversations or seeing my lifestyle, others might notice some eco-friendly swaps I make or hear about a low-waste alternative I love. This way of connecting personally is my preferred way of activism. And finally, activism can make me grumpy. Most of the time. when I am scrolling on social media, I am not there to get riled up about an issue, dive down a rabbit hole of political research, or shout about a cause from the mountain tops (or listen to another shouting). I am there for entertainment, occasionally trend research, and to catch up with my friends and family. Activism on social media is not my personal cup of tea, but it might be others.

So, I'm curious: which group do you fall into? Do you participate or abstain from participating in activism on social media? No matter what your stance is, I'd like to know your why! Share your experience with activism on social media and see what others have to say. I would wager a guess that we all have wildly different perceptions of activism that shape our level of engagement with it on social media.

Let's get the conversation rolling.

With curiosity,

Logie.