Social (Media) Good How "social media" is empowering "social good"

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Social media & digital activism, otherwise known as "clicktivism," is quickly becoming the best way for organizations to promote their cause. cc:JDHancock-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/83346641@N00

According to Craig and Marc Kielburger "Social media has

become a powerful, if not essential, tool for connecting causes with those who might

support them." cc:nffcnnr-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/85659491@N00 (Kielburger and Kielburger 2015)

Society's need "toward 'social good' can now be empowered by 'social

media', fostering a positive contagious effect"-- Sabrina Bresciani

and Andreas Schmeil

cc:MichaelTapp-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/59949757@N06(Bresciani and Schmeil 2012)

52% of us go online to discuss what's on our minds according

to a survey by Cone Communications

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So it's no wonder that a number of groups are using social media to promote their cause.

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For example: UNICEF's "Tap Project" brings clean water to children in need by using apps and games to inspire

people to contribute. cc:FionainEden-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/12273039@N05

(Stern 2015)

The company realizes that "we can't ignore the role that technology and digital activism can play in service to our overall mission"- Caryl M. Stern

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Many scientific organisations are also using online crowdfunding as a way to support

their projects. cc:chase_ellio--h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/19746950@N00

(Gray 2015)

"Lunar Mission One said it wants to transform the way space exploration is funded by raising £600,000 to start the project from millions of small payments by the public. In return for higher payments, supporters are promised space on the

mission to send a strand of their hair."- Richard Gray

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In any case, "the goal of clicktivism isn't to solve problems, it's to bring

awareness to a cause that we otherwise wouldn't know about"- Ritu Sharma

cc:nima;hopographer-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/48976117@N00 (Sharma 2014)

Many celebrities take part in digital activism through social media, which helps

promote many causes cc:brian.gratwicke-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/19731486@N07

Not everyone is able to give in Bill Gates

style, but every little bit

counts.

cc:SamCockman-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/46005710@N07(Sharma 2014)

Even if you are unable to donate funds, using a hashtag or 'liking' a

cause helps to amplify the message. cc:Pulpolux!!!-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/46425925@N00 (Sharma 2014)

The website prizeo.com is encouraging online activism by using campaigns as contests. Members of the public donate

money to a charitable foundation in order to enter a contest, usually associated with

a celebrity.

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This means that the donator is excited by the chance of winning a

prize, while also feeling good about contributing to a charity.

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For example: prizeo.com is currently running a campaign for the Hispanic Foundation, a

non-profit organisation that supports hispanic families, and promoting it by entering

donators into a contest for the chance to see Hamilton: An American Musical, a sold out Broadway show, as well as meet its creator

and star Lin-Manuel Miranda.

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("Win “Your Shot” At Hamilton Tickets And A Hang-Out With Lin-Manuel Miranda" 2016) ("Hispanic Federation: Mission And History" 2016)

"The use of hashtags is

the most vital part of social

media activism."-

Sabrina Khan-Ibarra

cc:cogdogblog-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/37996646802@N01 (Khan-Ibarra 2014)

"Hashtags have the power to bring attention to and mobilize a large population."-Sabrina Khan-Ibarra

cc:mikecogh-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/89165847@N00 (Khan-Ibarra 2014)

"On average, organizations are

generating $17 per email address and

$20 per Facebook fan in online revenue"-

Social Media for Non-Profits

cc:Onasill~BillBadzo-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/7156765@N05 ("Each Facebook Fan Worth $20 To A Nonprofit: Results From The 2014 Individual Donor Benchmark Report | Social Media For Nonprofits" 2015)

"Clicktivism is not exclusively the support or promotion of a case

online. It is the use of social media for facilitating social change and

activism."-Clicktvism.org

cc:StockMonkeys.com-h-ps://www.flickr.com/photos/86530412@N02 ("What Is Clicktivism" 2016)

The most important part of social media activism is

that the message is spread. Every click counts.

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Sources Bresciani, Sabrina and Andreas Schmeil. 2012. "Social Media Platforms For Social Good". 2012 6Th IEEE International Conference On Digital Ecosystems And Technologies (DEST), 1-6. doi:10.1109/dest.2012.6227944.   "Each Facebook Fan Worth $20 To A Nonprofit: Results From The 2014 Individual Donor Benchmark Report | Social Media For Nonprofits". 2015. Social Media For Nonprofits. http://socialmedia4nonprofits.org/blog/each-facebook-fan-worth-20-to-a-nonprofit-results-from-the-2014-individual-donor-benchmark-report/.   Gray, Richard. 2015. "Crowdfunded Science: Harnessing The Wisdom Of The Crowd, Or Selling Out?". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jan/02/crowdfunded-science-scientists-fund-research.   "Hispanic Federation: Mission And History". 2016. Hispanic Federation. http://hispanicfederation.org/about/mission_and_history/   Khan-Ibarra, Sabrina. 2014. "The Case For Social Media And Hashtag Activism". The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sabina-khanibarra/the-case-for-social-media_b_6149974.html     Kielburger, Craig and Marc Kielburger. 2015. "A Click Is Not Enough To Have Impact On World". Canoe.Com. http://cnews.canoe.com/CNEWS/World/2015/04/10/22337541.html.   Sharma, Ritu. 2014. "Stop Pouring Ice On Clicktivism". The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ritusharma/stop-pouring-ice-on-click_b_5692555.html.   Stern, Caryl M. 2015. "In Praise Of Clicktivism". The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/caryl-m-stern/in-praise-of-clicktivism_b_6978314.html.   "What Is Clicktivism". 2016. Clicktivist. http://www.clicktivist.org/what-is-clicktivism/.   "Win “Your Shot” At Hamilton Tickets And A Hang-Out With Lin-Manuel Miranda". 2016. Prizeo.Com. https://www.prizeo.com/prizes/lin-manuel-miranda/your-shot-at-hamilton-tickets.