Social media activism involves the use of digital platforms to promote social causes, amplify marginalized voices, mobilize support, shift national conversations on legal and social issues, and engage in collective action. It has emerged as a significant tool for raising awareness, driving legal and social reform, and fostering community engagement, particularly in movements like #MeToo and various local initiatives. According to Greijdanus et al. (2020), online social media activism also involves how people use platforms to document experiences, build communities, and mobilize for offline protests. It can be meaningful and worthwhile, as evidence suggests a positive relationship between online and offline activism, enhancing collective action and visibility.

Social media activism – voice of Frisco

The question of whether online activism is meaningful and worthwhile actually got me thinking about a lot of issues that we face around the world. How do people across the globe get to know or hear about social issues like the #FeesMustFall movement in South Africa, the #Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria, and many others happening around the world? Gone are those days where progressive movements are done in isolation or restricted to just a country. According to Hutchinson (2023), the “presence of social media and the Web 2.0 platforms like Twitter and Facebook have provided activists with tools that previously only traditional media platforms had access to,” thus making it possible for people to share and even live stream their activism activities.

Social media activism – Anthony McCosker

Reflecting on the question of whether online social media activism can be meaningful and worthwhile would depend on several factors. For instance, a post by the University of Sussex indicates that while social media might be a useful platform for social justice, evidence suggests that these platforms are not accessible to a large number of people around the world. More importantly is the acknowledgement that such platforms can be weaponized for political use. Nevertheless, I think online social activism can be worthwhile because it creates opportunity for empowerment and identity formation. There are some people who find it difficult to share personal narratives or even express their identities. However, such platforms give them the opportunity to do so due to the collective consciousness of awareness being raised among people of the same identity or characteristics. This could possibly foster a sense of community and shared experience for such people. I have also witnessed a situation where online activism involved the sharing of an online bill in relation to a community issue. This successfully led to the mobilization of people within the affected community coming together for community engagement rallies on the respective issue. The online information that was shared through the bill actually informed and enhanced how the community members exercised their civic rights, engagement, and responsibilities.

Engaging in productive conversations about social justice online might be possible, even though it presents unique challenges and opportunities. I think there could sometimes be an issue of potential miscommunication through manipulation of posts causing a kind of passive interaction and backlash when using these digital spaces as indicated by the University of Sussex.

The responsibilities of educators in modelling active citizenship online will basically involve shaping students understanding of the digital space and their engagement within it. Since technology has dramatically changed how things are done around the world, it is important that educators take the responsibility of developing students digital citizenship skills, which can help promote a culture of engagement and collaboration in online spaces. This will involve guiding students in understanding online ethics, self-identity, and responsible online behavior (Kim & Choi, 2018). According to the authors, the S.A.F.E. model identifies how key components such as Self-identity, Activity, fluency, and ethics, which educators can use to structure their teaching. I think educators can also create an active learning environment where students are equipped to navigate the complexities of online interactions as they meaningfully engage in discussions around civic issues and responsibilities.