Photo by Polina Tankilevitch
Social media is a superpower for info-sharing. Users have limitless power to shape society according to what is presented on their screens. So, what is the right thing to do if handed the opportunity to use this platform for an important cause?
People have been using their voices to amplify various social issues for centuries. Pitchforks and proofs were the tools to make a change in a broken society that affected millions of lives. People sparked revolutions after those in power ignored the cries of ordinary individuals who had been living under their rule. These historical events shaped the world forever, and the means to advocate for change has drastically changed. From the streets to the screens, activism has taken on a new form.
Doing Good to Look Good
The moment social media platforms allowed anybody accessibility to anything, the potential to advocate for social issues increased and became more accessible. Anyone can now be vocal about the things or figures they support and express their passionate views despite the possible reactions they will receive online.
Here lies the issue: because freedom of expression has now become digital, there is a risk of superficiality due to everyone’s moral obligation to participate. They become passive due to the easy means of seemingly supporting without actually putting in the action and effort. All that’s needed is to read, feel a little, and click whatever’s necessary to complete the move, and that’s it—no going the extra mile nor actual participation that may risk one’s safety. The digital age tragically became a time for activism to turn shallow.
The Message That’s Sent
Many individuals strive to be popular, doing things for personal gain. Performative activism became the avenue to be all that without fighting for a cause. Because it’s now easier to hide one’s intentions while showing another, anyone can make simple statements that will gain colossal traction, especially if the issue is relevant in the present. After doing their part, nothing follows, hence the term ‘slacktivism.’ It’s a simple act of keeping up appearances while keeping oneself detached from the gravity of the situation.
Social media’s advancement became easy for people to immediately care about issues and fake involvement to look good in front of others. As a consequence, the actual message of any campaign is drowned out by users who come and go. Slacktivism defeats the purpose of making any real change in society, even to those involved who only mean well. It doesn’t make anything better because the activism space on social media is too saturated to become apparent for those who genuinely fight.
Problematic Change
Meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight, that’s for sure. Social media still has the power to move mountains, theoretically speaking. But we must be realistic about the actual needs that should be met when trying to make a collective effort in a fast-paced world. Specific platforms have already influenced how citizens choose their next leaders to spearhead a democratic government. Social media is now considered a reliable source of information about sociopolitical issues.
For example, the book “American’t” by King Bell shows an in-depth analysis of the long-standing oppression by America of black people. As if reading about it wasn’t enough, these recent years showcased a series of events that sparked rage among Americans, regardless of race. In the face of crisis, some still use racial profiling as an excuse to commit violence in the guise of enforcing the law. Several people have taken their anger to the streets, and some choose to bring their activism to the screen. Celebrities who choose to voice out their concerns use their influence to send a message to the public about what issues need to be prioritized at the moment.
The Art of War on Display Online
The problem is the lack of actual energy spent on genuine support beyond posting online. It creates a trail of the same pattern until it’s out of control, no matter how many people call it out. If we continually treat social justice as a mere trend that will fade in time, the case’s significance is diminished, and the actual victims lose their voice in the crowd of users who try to make the issue all about them at some point.
Even though social media can be suitable for amplifying things concerning social welfare and can genuinely spark change to a certain extent, there is still a large amount of superficial support that goes nowhere. If a change must come at all costs, tapping and clicking won’t suffice. A display of solidarity should not be defined by how many shares you make or petitions you sign online. It is counterproductive to what should be genuinely dealt with. You should draw the line on resorting to ineffective and performative passions and instead do the legwork to fight for what you believe in.
