Research Paper on Social Media Activism: Revolutionizing Social Movements

Introduction

The rise of internet technology and the growth of social media have transformed the way social movements are created, organized, and operate. In particular, social media activism has become an integral aspect of modern society where social, political, and economic issues are dispelled online via social media (Murthy 1). As a result, unlike traditional social movements, social media has opened a new path for activism. Social movements have been a fundamental aspect of the sociopolitical environment for decades stemming back to the creation of sovereign nations. Activists and advocates have utilized the power of social movements to cry out for political, legal, and cultural change. Major social movements in history like the Civil Rights Movement were developed by using relationships with people to foster social mobilization (Vink 56). In other words, relationally methods of mobilizing people included forging relationships with people on an individual basis. As a result, activists nurtured small networks that ultimately led to frequent communication, and therefore, establishing a common language for collective action. Unlike the past, the 21st century has come with technologically driven solutions to improve human life. People use technologically driven interface using personal computers, desktops, tablets, and smartphones to conceptualize change movements. As a result, social media has become a fundamental component for activism leading to the establishment of online feminist movements.

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Social media is an important resource that can quickly disseminate information and foster communication. This modern internet technology asset creates and nurtures strong ties among activists, publicizes activism or social movements (Hurwitz 10). The widespread growth of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, MySpace among others has altered the nature of advocacy as well as the progression of social movements (Vink). The widespread reach of social media has eclipsed the traditional modes of social mobilization. Statistics indicate that around 4 billion people have access to the internet, of which an estimated 3 billion use social media platforms (Vink 25). For example, according to a study by the Pew Research Center, 72% of adults in the US across different demographic groups use social networking platforms (Renzel). Likewise, the millennial generation has actively emerged as the most active group in terms of social media usage. As a result, social networks have become the prevailing platforms for activism among millennials. Unlike traditional relational methods of mobilization, social media has dodged social stratification and financial obstacles that limit activism. It only takes the click of a button to create a social campaign and the information is disseminated across the globe.

The use of web-based social movements and the creation of online awareness campaigns denote a shift in modern advocacy. Instead of traditional demonstrations, meetings, and public protests, cyberactivism has created a passive display of support. Social media platforms allow users to like and share content across geographical and cultural boundaries. Such passive displays of advocacy reduce the costs of organizing public protests (Kidd and McIntosh 787). However, social media activism has managed to mobilize people both passively and actively. For instance, the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter movement created massive followings in the US as a result of the police brutality against unarmed black men. In 2014, an African-American teenager by the name of Michael Brown was shot by a police officer in Fergerson Missouri leading to massive protests creating awareness about police use of deadly force (Steinberg 434). The structural racism and discrimination in the criminal justice and law enforcement agencies angered most Americans that different protest rallies were held across the country. Such is the power of using social media activism to fight social, political, legal, cultural, and economic injustices committed by government departments or privileged groups of people.

Social media provides an opportunity or acts as a tool for marginalized groups and individuals to share their advocacy with followers (Kidd and McIntosh 786). It gives activists a unique advantage by uniting individuals with shared interests. Social networks enhance the freedom of expression because users have a wide array of means to express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions. As such, entire communities have been developed and grown together online through social media leading to strengthened advocacy campaigns. By creating hashtag campaigns, people across the world participate in the conversation making hashtags have the potential to mobilize a large population. For example, when Boko Haram, a terrorist group kidnapped 300 Nigerian girls, many people across the world turned to social networks like Twitter and Facebook to seek information and express their outrage (Steinberg 434). The #BringBackOurGirls coined by a Nigerian Attorney was used over 2 million times on Twitter in 2014 (Steinberg 434). Reputable figures such as Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton were among the participant in the conversation calling for a release of the girls (Steinberg 434). With this note, social media activism knows no boundaries, making it an effective mode of modern social movements.

Online Feminism

Mainstream media has ignored the diversity of women's advocacy by featuring racist, sexist, and sexualized depiction of women. Moreover, women face workplace inequality particularly in the media where they are disproportionately underrepresented than men (Hurwitz 3). Women activism using social networking sites has targeted job inequality and sexism in the media to protest gender discrimination and the creation of alternative media to promote their claims. Mainstream media has fallen short in covering protests by small groups has even resulted in the less broadcast of women's movements. However, the same mainstream media has played a critical role in covering large mass protests against governments. Nevertheless, female activism continues to challenge culture, the state, multiple institutions using intimate tactics via social media (Hurwitz 5).

Social media has promoted the fourth wave of feminism by creating a global community of sisterhood online. Female activism has been responsible for forging bonds among women by creating a mutual network of support that strengthens their social and legal rights awareness. By using social networking sites, women and girls across the globe interact and share experiences across religious, cultural and national boundaries by fighting common problems or challenges (Carter and Carter 67). The flow of open communication through online social networks has enabled women to share awareness and experiences in fighting sexism and misogyny. The #MeToo movement has had tremendous progress towards fighting the rape culture and women domestic abuse. Founded a decade ago by Tarana Burke, a sexual violence survivor, she created a platform where women and girls could connect and share their encounters without fear of reprisal ("Six Activists Who Are Using Social Media for Change Offline."). The movement went viral when actress Alyssa Milano used the hashtag #MeToo on twitter to asking sexual abuse victims to share their experiences or stories that the campaign became a global phenomenon. The story broke after the disclosure of sexual abuse against women in Hollywood where Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual abuse. The #MeToo movement has created a wave of feminist movement around the world where women are asked to disclose the experience and avoid suffering in silence ("Six Activists Who Are Using Social Media for Change Offline."). The campaign has been crucial in asking policymakers to enact legislation that protects women from rape, sexual abuse, and violence. Social media has empowered women to fight for their rights through open forums on social networks, attracting massive followings globally.

Social networking sites have created an online safety space that facilitates the growth of women's sisterhood where feminist campaigns are directed at speaking out problems women encounter. Social media activism has also focused on areas of women interests such as education, motherhood, healing, and self-development (Renzel). The participation in online virtual communities and groups that consist of local and international networks motivates women to air their grievances. It has turned out to be the real experience by encouraging the growth of women's strength. Most importantly, the virtual experience online has paved the way for the preparation for ground social protests. The intersectionality of diverse perspectives derived online creates a sense of global interconnection where women's problems are realized online. Women are no longer afraid of speaking about privileges, discriminations, and in particular gender inequality in the workplaces (Carter and Carter). Social media activism has promoted a common ground for international feminism. Since the mainstream media has an opportunity to reach wide audiences. Women activists continue to fight for workplace equality to give them a chance to disseminate and talk about the issues facing women, a theme that has been downplayed by traditional media. Through social media, feminist ideals to empower the girl child have progressed to give young girls and women an opportunity to realize their dreams by overcoming sociopolitical barriers.

The rise of social networking sites has opened a new frontier for the organization of women rights movements. Social media emphasizes the need for shared experiences and encourages solidarity. For instance, #MeToo movement has revealed a shift in modern-day feminism by fostering the ethos of self-sufficiency and individualism (Renzel). By revealing or speaking out, victims feel emotionally nourished and derive self-satisfaction by participating in a community that nurtures solidarity. Therefore, social media has the power to close the gaps where the society has failed in terms of cultural, political and religious norms. A study carried out in Qatar revealed that women were highly active online in countries with large gender inequities (Renzel). Since 2010, the global explosion of social media feminists led to the rise of conscious actions by women to stand for their rights (Turley and Fisher). Attracted by the power of the internet especially social networks, women realized a powerful platform to aggressively fight for female rights. As a result, female bloggers have nurtured and attracted a wide pool of women internationally where they strive to share the way forward in terms of women empowerment. These campaigns have been an integral factor in promoting the expansion of feminism across social networks.

Furthermore, the digital space is crowded with various feminist networks and organizations that compete for recognition, resources, and publicity (Turley and Fisher 129). Therefore, to capture the attention of the general public, social media activism has nurtured both online and offline feminist protests. Female activists have used social media to expand the reach and scope in disseminating information through celebrity endorsement. For example, Emma Watson, a Hollywood actor has endorsed and spread the #heforshe campaign that motivates men to fight for feminists or gender equality (Turley and Fisher 129). Celebrity endorsements help online social movements to relay feminist news and information even on mainstream media promoting access to a wide audience. The move has been significantly important in promoting awareness across the world, making people realize the power and benefits of using social media activism.