Digital activism, also known as online activism or clicktivism, encompasses the use of various digital tools such as the Internet, social media, email, mobile phones, and online platforms to shed light on social, political, and environmental concerns. As technology has advanced, digital activism has emerged as a potent force for amplifying voices, raising awareness, and uniting people on a global scale. The internet’s evolution has provided a platform for digital activism, and the proliferation of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram has created significant opportunities for marginalized voices to gain rapid global visibility and impact.
Benefits Of Digital Activism
Digital activism offers a multitude of benefits for causes worldwide.
Expanded Reach and Accessibility
It has the power to expand reach and accessibility, allowing individuals to engage through various technical platforms, irrespective of their location. This cost-effective approach has transformed the way people stay informed about events and developments, eliminating the need for recurring payments and enabling access through a one-time investment in technology.
Amplifying marginalized voices
It serves as a potent amplifier for the voices of marginalized communities. It provides a platform for individuals to share their stories and perspectives with a global audience, thereby granting a voice to those who were previously unheard. This aspect is particularly impactful as it empowers individuals to raise awareness about important issues and enhance their participation through online protests, the submission of online petitions, and the dissemination of advocacy messages via social media platforms. Consequently, digital activism has the potential to effect change with unprecedented reach and impact.
Complementing Traditional Advocacy
Furthermore, digital activism complements traditional forms of advocacy by leveraging the internet to connect with people on a global scale. This has revolutionized the way individuals engage with and mobilize communities, transcending geographical barriers and facilitating meaningful dialogue and action. In the past, individuals faced limitations in their ability to inform others due to a lack of internet access or knowledge, but digital activism has bridged this gap, empowering individuals to connect and advocate for their causes on a global stage.
The following examples illustrate the benefits of digital activism.
#Black Lives Matter (United States)
In 2013, George Zimmerman killed 13-year-old Trayvon Martin, leading to the creation of the Black Lives Matter organization and hashtags. The movement gained further attention after the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, drawing focus to police brutality. Black Lives Matter activists also released “Campaign Zero,” which includes ten policy solutions to end police brutality. The movement surged again in 2020 after George Floyd’s filmed murder, triggering a racial reckoning in the United States and a push for police budget cuts and structural changes.
# Ni Una Menos (Argentina)
The #NiUnaMenos movement in Argentina started in 2015 in response to the murder of a woman by her boyfriend. The movement aims to raise awareness and protest against gender violence, particularly femicide. Its name, “Ni Una Menos,” translates to “not one less,” emphasizing that not another woman should be killed by a man. The movement gained significant traction, with 200,000 people gathering in Buenos Aires and other areas to support the cause.
# End SARS (Nigeria)
In 1992, Nigeria created the police unit SARS to respond to violent crime, especially armed robbery. They became known for their corruption and violations of human rights. The hashtag #EndSARS first emerged in 2018 to raise awareness of the unit’s abuses. In 2020, a video of a SARS office shooting a young man went viral and the hashtag resurfaced. #EndSARS trended globally and international demonstrations were organized around the world.
Farmer Protest (India)
In 2020, the Indian government decisively enacted three agricultural laws. These measures immediately triggered concerns among farmers regarding potential adverse effects and corporate advantages. This incited a powerful response, leading to the largest demonstration in Indian history. Subsequently, millions converged in New Delhi, with a remarkable 250 million participating in a nationwide 24-hour strike. The resolute demand of the protesters resulted in the successful repeal of the laws in 2021.
# Me Too Movement
Tarana Burke was a founder of the Metoo movement. It was founded in 2006 to support survivors of sexual violence and to support them as well as help people to understand how action taken by the community looks like in the fight against sexual violence .it was to encourage women who witness sexual violence to share their experiences and to be aware the people about differences between crime and relationships.
Shift In Digital Activism: Performative Activism
In recent years, digital activism has emerged as a potent force for advocating various causes and seeking justice. The interconnected digital world enables individuals from diverse locations to unite in support of different issues through online protests, trending topics, and awareness campaigns. Online petitions, in particular, have proven to be effective in exerting pressure on governments and courts to address critical matters.
However, there is a growing concern that the pursuit of justice has become entwined with trend cycles, leading to the emergence of what can be termed a “JUSTICE TREND CYCLE”. It is evident that certain issues, like the Israel-Palestine conflict, attract swift and widespread engagement, while other significant events such as the Kabul school bombing or the Calcutta rape case have been sidelined. This observation raises important questions about the nature of participation in digital activism and whether it is driven by a genuine connection to the cause or influenced by the urge to partake in trends through retweets, reposts, and comments.
This has been termed performative activism, which means showing support in favor of some issues without even knowing the real issue just to get praised. Only when videos, pictures, or a continuous conversation revolve around an issue, do they truly engage with it. This sparks their interest and creates a sense of urgency, but when these elements are absent, the issue becomes overlooked and marginalized. This is the cause of the decline in the caliber of digital activism as individuals desire to participate in any hot topic that is currently trending and rising on social media.
Conclusion
The way we advocate for change has been completely transformed by digital activism, which gives voices that might not otherwise be heard a platform. Performative activism has seen tremendous success, but it also presents problems that need to be carefully considered. For digital activism to reach its full potential as a force for social change, it needs to encourage sincere involvement and dedication and make sure that pressing concerns are not eclipsed by the never-ending parade of fads. Digital activism can keep bringing about significant social change by putting real action ahead of token participation.
Author: Kritika Rai and Anchal Pal are 3rd year students at United University.
