Slacktivism

Words: 669
Pages: 3
Open Document
Introduction Social media has grown increasingly more popular since 1997 when the first social media platform, “Six Degrees,” was released (Ngak, 2014). Social media allows people a way to communicate with those who are around them and even across the globe in both negative and positive ways. However, there is not much research regarding the impact that social media has on those who engage with others online. More specifically, there is little research regarding the impact that social media has on peoples’ political activism engagement. This literature review aims to explore and answer the question, “does social media effect how people engage in politics?”
Social Media and Youth Scholars have found that online interactions complement face-to-face …show more content…
However, it has also given rise to the emergence of “slacktivism,” which is an online form of self-aggrandizing, politically ineffective activism (Cabrera, Matias, & Montoya, 2017). Christensen (2011) defined slacktivism as “political activities that have no impact on real-life political outcomes, but only serve to increase the feel-good factor of the participants.” As social media is increasingly utilized by contemporary, grassroots organizers, including college students, the question of whether social media does anything to produce tangible social change has become more complicated, according to Obar (2014). According to Mwangi, Bettencourt, and Malaney (2016), student activism and engagement in social justice have long been a tradition at colleges and universities, but the emergence of new technologies is shifting the landscape of student engagement (p. 2). For example, instead of relying on petitions, rallies, and letters, a study found that 19% of Internet users engaged in activism by posting material about pursuing political engagement or social issues (Barnhardt, …show more content…
These tools make knowledge readily available to those who wish to access it. Research on contributions via social media indicate that many times, employees are not motivated to engage in the exchange of knowledge (Kimmerle, Wodzicki, & Cress, 2008). Instead, most users choose to participate passively by reading the posts of others instead of actively engaging by contributing content (Matschke, Moskaliuk, Bokhorst, Schummer, & Cress,
Show More

Related Documents: Slacktivism

Political Activism

necessary to help, without ever giving their time to help the cause. After all, money alone will not solve all problems. It also takes the time of the volunteers committing their time to the cause. However, laziness is not the only aspect to blame in “slacktivism”. It may also be caused by the ease of sharing on social media, in which people are constantly bombarded with causes that need their…

Words 991 - Pages 4

social medias effect on activism Essays

digital protests compared to traditional face-to-face recruiting efforts. The term “slacktivism” has been used to described this action and some activist believe that this ease has caused less-passionate and less-dedicated individuals. Although this is evident in some activism cases, there are many other cases were social media has brought passionate and committed individuals to be involved. However “slacktivism” has some effect on cases by helping expand the reach of those becoming aware, getting…

Words 944 - Pages 4

Online Activism

causes and share them on a global scale. One can make a difference by joining a Facebook page, or by signing a petition. But recently, online activism has come under criticism. Is online activism an effective mean of change, or is it all just "slacktivism"? Social media has proven to be more powerful than anyone could have expected. It has been used as a weapon during uprisings and revolutions. While revolutions obviously occurred prior to social media, the way we view them now is completely…

Words 2033 - Pages 9

Social Media Activism Paper

Social Media Activism When employees experience dissatisfaction at work, employees may choose to express their dissatisfaction, leave the organization, or quietly wait to see if organizational changes occur. A recent study by Right Management, a human resources consulting firm, before the rise of the Internet, people participated in social activism by walking down a street, holding various signs that argued against some form of political action. Rallies and protests happened in physical spaces,…

Words 1828 - Pages 8

Rainforest Activism

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” (Anne Frank). Changing the world can be done by anyone at any time. This is activism, people or groups changing the world. The interesting part about activism is that it changes and adapts to become more effective. In this day and age activism has adapted to include social media. The things activist groups can do with social media are unbelievable. The focus in this paper will be on one specific group…

Words 799 - Pages 4

Anon: Journalism and Social Media Essay

miscount of votes but this was brought down by violent crackdowns’ (Shirky C, 2011) There are many researchers that bring in the issue, “social media scepticism.” In the New Yorker, Malcolm Gladwell writes on examples on what they are called ‘slacktivism’, where participants seek to have individual freedom through low cost activities’ (Shirky C, 2011). In this, he means that people are using social media as it’s a cheap tool, yet, it doesn’t take any action. With groups of people using social…

Words 1253 - Pages 6

Breast Cancer Awareness Research Paper

A wide variety of charitable organizations are involved in breast cancer awareness and support. These organizations do everything from providing practical support to educate the public, to dispensing millions of dollars for research and treatment. To raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment is the effort of Breast Cancer Awareness. Greater knowledge which lead to earlier detection of breast cancer is hoped by supporters to associated with…

Words 1930 - Pages 8