The two questions meant for this blog post are:
Can online social media activism be meaningful and worthwhile?
Is it possible to have productive conversations about social justice online?
I will relieve any sense of anticipation and say Yes. 100% yes to both of those questions. Is it easy, trouble-free and without barriers? No. But it is possible.
The first thing I want to do is clarify my definition of meaningful and worthwhile. This could mean different things to different people, however, in my view, if it results in net positive change, then it is meaningful and worthwhile. The internet is full of articles, blogs, and opinion pieces, that address these two questions. (Can the internet ever be full?) Choosing a few to use for this blog post was difficult! However, I did look for common threads and found that most of the ones I viewed had common findings: both of those questions can be answered with a yes, but not without risks and downfalls.
I did enjoy this article from the University of Sussex. It introduces a term I had not heard before called Citizen Journalism. They define this as “the involvement of citizens in the newsgathering and broadcasting process” This information is published on personal non-journalist platforms such as blogsites and social media accounts, as well as user generated content hosted by journalists.
This allows information that may otherwise be blocked by gate-keepers to make it to the mainstream population. Live streaming, or sharing video content is a relatively recent addition to citizen journalism and I will never get the video of George Floyd out of my memory or heart. That to me is impactful.
I believe that now people can directly interact with the media has changed journalism, it has changed the way activism is organized, mobilized and publicized.
Bypassing the gatekeepers within the dominant society has allowed marginalized voices to be heard and amplified. Underrepresented groups can speak directly to a world wide audience, sharing their stories and histories. Information is spread quickly, which can allow for quick organization and mobilization of social activist groups. Increased representation and empowerment can allow for underrepresented groups to take control of their own narrative.
While positive information can be spread, misinformation and negativity can be spread just as quickly. Discourse can break down leading to increased polarization.
Steps to fostering productive conversations include being open to learning and collaboration as well as educating youth about digital literacy and digital citizenship.
I believe as educators we have a responsibility to model active citizenship online. Role modelling is crucial when shaping young minds and teaching students about how to be engaged online citizens. As Big Frog mentioned in my summary of learning, we need to help students become healthy digital citizens.
Hi Emma
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on online share activism. I quite agree with you on the possibility of engaging in productive social conversations around social justice online. Many cases have been shared on various platforms where you will find comments from people who are productive. However, I have also seen instances where people make abusive comments on posts that were intended to promote such conversations. This sometimes makes me wonder if online social activism can be meaningful and worthwhile.
Hi Ayodele and thank you for your comments to my post. You are correct, it is not uncommon for abuse and negativity to invade the online spaces of social justice. People are allowed to have their different opinions, however, when it becomes destructive, it is natural to question if it is worthwhile. Sometimes though, the message can rise even stronger after an attempt to squash it.
If we don’t continue to raise voices the messages will not be heard!
Hello Emma,
Thank you for your insightful view. i really liked how you talked about the digital space and marginalized voices regarding social justice . this resonates with me because i view social media as a medium where ordinary citizens report, share, and mobilize themselves to challenge power dynamics and call for redefinition of whose voices are seen and heard in the public sphere. This helps to create new opportunities for agency, self-representation, and collective organizing—particularly for underrepresented communities who have long been silenced or misrepresented.
Thank you Gina for reading my post. I really connect with your reply. Especially the part about ordinary citizens having a space to challenge power dynamics. In agree, it has created new opportunities for amplifying voices.
Your blog post offers a strong and thoughtful exploration of both questions, and your clear “yes” response is supported by meaningful reflection. Defining “meaningful and worthwhile” as any action that results in net positive change provides a clear lens through which to examine online activism. Your inclusion of the term Citizen Journalism from the University of Sussex adds important context, especially in highlighting how marginalized voices can now bypass traditional media gatekeepers to share their stories. The reference to George Floyd’s video is a poignant and powerful example of how online platforms can drive global awareness and mobilization.
You also do a great job acknowledging the challenges, particularly the spread of misinformation and the risk of online discourse becoming polarized. This honest look at both the potential and the pitfalls of digital spaces strengthens your argument. Your call for educators to model digital citizenship is especially important. As Common Sense Media emphasizes, teaching digital citizenship helps students learn to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in the online world.
Karissa 🙂
Thank you for your thoughtful reply, Karissa. It is such a complex issue with so many layers. I am hopeful that classes like this one will contribute to positive change.