Has social media impacted social justice or affected global political movements? It’s a valid question. Evidence suggests it has served as a catalyst for awareness, mobilization, and change. During the Arab Spring in 2011, platforms like Twitter and Facebook undoubtedly enabled activists to share real-time updates and amplify dissatisfaction with oppressive regimes. Bilingual users helped to bridge language barriers and facilitate global engagement with hashtags such as #Egypt and #Libya (Bruns et al., 1993).

However, digging further into the use of such hashtags reveals that global participation was not particularly “active.” In fact, local uprisings may not have needed social media at all. It seems some forms of activism, like challenging corrupt governments, depends mostly on offline mobilization. In Libya, for example, internet restrictions limited the use of social media at critical points during the Arab Spring. Turns out, oppressive governments can exploit public platforms for surveillance. They can also leverage digital media to spread false information and political propaganda. How can activists overcome these challenges?

More recent movements like #Ferguson and Black Lives Matter demonstrate social media's potential to drive change. Viral posts from both campaigns helped to drive awareness of systemic injustices. Real-time videos sparked widespread interest that led to protests nationwide. In both examples, marginalized communities bypassed traditional mainstream media and narrated unique stories on social media. Were their faults? Of course. Mainstream media still focused on riots that swayed public opinion. But activists have learned valuable lessons from each movement. As the social media landscape evolves, the tactics and techniques needed to promote public good will also need to change.

While social media can be a powerful tool for justice and democracy, it’s not a standalone solution. It must be complemented with good old fashion organization, legislation, and, when all else fails, protest. Meaningful change still takes hard work. When utilized effectively, though, social media can amplify voices, empower local communities, and help build global solidarity. When it comes to using social media for activism, there’s only one way forward: proceed with caution.

References

Bruns, A., Highfield, T., & Burgess, J. (2013b). The arab spring and social media audiences. American Behavioral Scientist, 57(7), 871–898. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764213479374 

History. (2018, May 8). Here’s How the Arab Spring Started and How It Affected the World. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgcd5ZcxDys