Activism In

#Clicktivism

CLICKTIVISM:

Refers to the use of social media and the Internet to advance social causes. [12]

2/3 Millennials believe that a person on the computer spreading the word can create more change than a person on the street [5]

Activists today use the Internet and social media to

promote their causes/organization

s and spread the word [6]

However, the ability to show support through a simple ‘click’ or ‘like’ makes people question if clicktivism has more limitations than success [11]

SLAC

KTIV

ISM “Actions performed via

the Internet in support of a political or social cause but regarded as requiring little time or involvement, e.g. signing an online petition or joining a campaign group on a social media website” [2]

“You can make the case that slacktivism is important because it makes people feel affiliated to a movement and be a part of it, and talk about it” [3]

- Ethan Zuckerman

Although it may seem

less involved, Clicktivism

can still have a large, positive

impact [8]

So how does CLICKTIVISM equal Activism?

ACTIVISMThe policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change [7]

Digital media has allowed for activism to be widely spread and

easily accessible

In order to create awareness, overexposure is necessary in this day

and age [9]

This overexposure creates a wider awareness for different causes/organizations; despite if money is raised or not

Today, causes must not only educate about their cause but also keep their viewers intrigued online.

Organizations do this by:

Campaigning messages from outsider’s perspective and cater to individual interests [1]

Have access to different demographics by tying two things together; therefore,

allowing different interests to combine and gain more attention [1]

Expose the fabric of the campaign. It becomes important to express the

message in different (i.e. on different websites) [1]

It is also important to have an effective blueprint for sustainable

operation [1]

Today, it is important for

organizations to bring

themselves out there, sell

their image and self digitally [4]

When they do, they can have successful results

ALS Bucket Challenge 2.4 million ice bucket-

related videos posted on Facebook

2.8 million people have uploaded, commented on or liked ice bucket-related

posts

3.7 million videos uploaded with the hashtags

#ASLicebucketchallenge [10]

The challenge is simple: somebody has water dumped over their head. They then nominate people they know to take on the challenge or donate money. [10]

ALS Bucket Challenge

From 29 July to 28 August ALS received $98.2 million– compared with the $2.7m donated during the same period last year [10]

People feel more obliged to ‘click’ and support certain activism campaigns when they have attractive platforms and interesting funding projects

Clicktivism can have a positive impact on the

world– both on and offline– if done correctly

SOURCES [1] Adhikari, Abhay. “How Chartities Can Use Social Media for Digital Campaigning.” The Guardian. 5 Apr. 2012. Web. 6 June 2015

[2] “Definition of Slacktivism in English:.” Slacktivism. Web. 12 June 2015

[3] “Ethan Zuckerman Quote.” BrainyQuote. Xplore. Web. 5 June 2015

[4] Farzan, Antonia. “Ivy League Students Are Asking Strangers to Help Pay the Thousands They Owe in Tuition.” Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc. 28 Apr. 2015. Web. 12 June 2015

[5] Faw, Larissa. “Are Millennials Lazy or Avante-Garde Social Activists?” Forbes. Forbes Magazine. 23 Oct. 2012. Web. 6 June 2015

SOURCES [6] Gray, Richard. “Crowdfunded Science: Harnessing the Wisdom of the Crowd, or Selling Out?” The Guardian. TheGuardian.com. 2 Jan. 2015. Web. 9 June 2015.

[7] Howard, Philip. “When Does Digital Activism Pack a Punch?” Symposium Magazine. Web. 5 June 2015

[8] Moore, Garth. “When Clicking Counts: In Defense of Slacktivism and Clicktivism.” ONE. 3 May 2012. Web. 12 June 2015

[9] Sharma, Ritu. “Stop Pouring Ice on Clicktivism.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. 20 Aug. 2014. Web. 7 June 2015

[10] Townsend, Lucy. “How Much Has the Ice Bucket Challenge Achieved?- BBC News.” BBC News. 2 Sept. 2014. Web. 6 June 2015.

SOURCES [11] Wagner, Meg. “Why ‘Clicktivism’ Isn’t a Dirty Word.” Mashable. Web. 12 June 2015

[12] “What is Clicktivism?- Definition from Techopedia.” Techopedias. Web. 12 June 2015