Is digital activism as effective as it is made out to be? Is clicktivism a problem for democracy or is it a new form of activism that can indeed hold the powerful to account?

At the beginning of the 21st century, new technological innovations and development of digital media have brought new possibilities for both the media content providers and for the users as well. Digital media and Web 2.0 technology provided new communication platforms that help people to communicate and to exchange information, by using text, audio-visual, and multimedia contents.

People around the world have become more aware of the expanding use of digital technologies and social media. What was one the role of leaflets, brochures and posters, is now replaced with Tweets and Facebook posts. This can be very useful in both political and social campaigns. Taking Malta as an example, almost every Minister or Parliament secretary employs a social media employee, as part of his or her secretariat team, on full-time basis, to upload photos and videos on social media and voice their representatives opinions and thoughts about what is going on. Therefore, digital activism have changed the way people communicate with each other. Digital activism is used to discuss all instances of social and political campaigning using digital network. When citizens gather together to bring about social, economic, environmental, and political change, this means that they are actual activists and the media helps to spread their initiatives and to increase pressure of the politicians. Their goal is to influence as much as possible the public to initiate changes in public policies.

Not a very long time ago, to cause change or create influence on a social or a political situation, mass demonstrations were organised. However, the use of social media has enabled activists to start sustained campaigns where thousands of people can participate in.

Clicktivism is when political or social activists use online communication, largely social media, to galvanize protests. Clicktivism is a blend of words click and activism, in which conventional methods of communication: telephones, word of mouth etc… are replaced by social media. Because of social media, now anyone can be an activist. On social media, you can now raise awareness by changing your profile picture, sharing videos and following charities, you care about. Nowadays, you can even start a fundraiser on Facebook for your birthday.

The Internet is a playground for thousands of campaigns across the world. There are campaigns on nearly every possible issue imaginable: from the environment to human rights, corruption to climate change, and the advocates within these communities do everything from raising awareness, signing online petitions, and fund raising. Social media gave us endless opportunities to voice our thoughts and create change. In today’s digital world, digital activism is effective in all concepts. People are very aware of what is happening around them and they want to voice their opinions in such cases, thus I personally do not believe that clicktivism could be a problem to democracy, actually I believe that it is a new form of activism, which can hold the power to account.

References:

Corrigan, P. (1997). The Sociology of Consumption an Introduction. London: Sage Publications Ltd.

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