What Is Online Activism
In the heart of technology, we’ve seen a new phenomenon develop online called ‘digital activism’ or ‘online activism’. Merging both our technological advancements and our political climate into one, this form of activism established a place in society, starting in the early ’90s with a product called Lotus MarketPlace.
The History of Online Activism
In April 1990, Lotus MarketPlace wanted to revolutionize the marketing list industry. The product was to collect the names, addresses, and spending information of over 120 million Americans. Which led concerned consumers via message boards and Email (remember this was 1990!) to band together and ask to be removed from their database. Eventually 30,000 people got on board and by early 1991, due to the controversy, Lotus decided to disband the project. This is what we now know today as the first online protest.
Controversy
There has been some controversy surrounding online activism. Some people believe it isn’t good enough. That it is ‘slactivism‘ and involves little to-no effort. While some believe it is a valid way to protest and bring support to important causes. Simply liking a post on Facebook or changing your profile picture in solidarity may not inherently help, but it may spark a conversation, bringing more awareness to your cause.
Hashtag Activism
Something that has been directly born from online activism is, ‘hashtag activism‘. Notably #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, #TakeAKnee and many more movements were all created online. The #BlackLivesMatter Movement in particular was created in 2013 by three Black organizers (Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi), after the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman. Six years later, BLM is still a trailblazing movement for both online and offline activism alike.
Photo from Nicole Baster on Unsplash
Something like #BlackLivesMatter is an entire movement on and offline. Where as something like #Kony2012 (a bit of a throwback, right?) didn’t accomplish much. Kony 2012 was a video uploaded on YouTube by an organization called Invisible Children, which aimed to raise awareness of a Warlord named Joseph Kony.
The video went viral and the organization raised 28 million dollars. But fast forward years later, the public interest wore down, and Joseph Kony still remains at large. Which begs the question, once you amass a following, what do you do with it?
Benefits
If done right, online activism can be a great way to bring awareness or change to causes you care about. Personally, I believe online activism does have its place in the political atmosphere. Just don’t post and go, use the Internet and educate yourself on these topics. Online activism is much more than liking a Tweet or changing a profile picture.
Why We Shouldn’t Discount Online Activism
Calling Online activism, ‘slacktivism’, completely disregards many people who deeply care but who cannot – for personal reasons – participate in in-person activism.
Whether that be a kid from a family with polarizing views, or someone who has health issues, or someone struggling with social anxiety. There are so many people who have personal limitations who care, and shouldn’t be discounted.
As for me, I have severe social anxiety. Currently, I cannot go to any in-person protests or social movements. Even though this is a personal goal of mine to one day be able to participate in in-person activism, I still participate in online activism because it’s something that I care deeply about. This is something that often times gets glanced over. Online activism vs in-person activism is a lot more nuanced than it seems.
Yes, in-person grassroots activism is more beneficial than it’s online counterparts. But let’s not ignore what direction our world is going in. Everything is now digitalized, and it will only continue to do so.
I think both forms of activism have a space in our political sphere. And are even complimentary to each other. But lets not completely discredit one over the other with the success we’ve seen online and the power the Internet really holds.
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This is such a fab post! I’m sometimes a little wary of people posting about causes online because it’s hard to know whether they actually care or are just doing it to look good. I like that you’ve presented a balanced view – for some people this is all they can do and online activism is better than silence. I for one would like to speak up more about certain issues but don’t know how to go about doing anything ‘in real life’ so use the internet instead.
Emily x
Awh thank you for reading, Emily. Much appreciated.
Online activism is certainly important and it includes a whole base of people who have been excluded from in person activism. I never knew the origins and that was interesting.
I have a friend who protests the shipping of live animal exports from a local port and the group they are a part of is a mix of online activism and in person activism – they have people who email companies, RSPCA (and I’ve forgotten who else off the top of my head) to try and get each transport cancelled (especially with the recent European heatwaves). then they have people who can use phones ringing the same companies, and then finally they have the people who are able to go out and do in person activism holding protests at the ports and slowing the lorries. To me that is the perfect blend of online and in person activism working together because it allows everyone to take part and work to their strengths.
I never knew until recently, either. I was surprised it has been around since the early ‘90s! And your friend and their group sounds awesome! Definitely a great example of online activism and in-person activism. Thank you for reading! (:
Loved that little history lesson at the beginning! I love online activism and #Blacklivesmatter is a perfect example of when online activism is done well and actually makes a difference! Interesting that you mentioned Kony because I hadn’t even thought of that in years! Online activism us one of those things that can get used and abused unfortunately, some people will be included to make themselves look good. But overall it shows us how active we are becoming online, which I think is amazing. Great post!! xx
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed. 🙂
Great post! I loved the history behind online activism that you gave, because I honestly had no idea how it even started! I think online activism is a great thing, especially when you have the internet and social media that can reach so many people, uniting people from across the world about a cause. You’re right, of course in person activism can be even more effective (the sheer sight of so many people united to bring about change is honestly awe-inspiring) but that’s not always possible. The fact that hashtag movements have sprung up (#blacklivesmatter and #MeToo) has almost proven that those simple tweets can be just as powerful as speeches.
Emily | https://www.thatweirdgirllife.com
Thank you so much, Emily! And I agree, hashtag activism is really awesome to see how we can all come together over the Internet. Thank you for reading!
Such a great and very important post! I always hear of people discrediting online activism and honestly it needs to stop. There are so many reasons why people can’t do field activism and their efforts to spread awareness and make change deserved to be acknowledged and respected.
Thank you so much, Adria! I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for reading! (: