Online or digital activism, particularly via social media, can be a great way to educate people about social issues and to raise awareness. However, it’s important to stay aware of the risks to help young people stay safe.
In this article
- Why might a young person get involved in online activism?
- What role does social media play?
- What risks should parents know about?
- What benefits are there?
- Supporting resources
Why might a young person get involved in online activism?
Young people can be the compass pointing to true north when society has lost its way. They’re often filled with idealism and not worn down by the cares, worries and accretions of modern living that beset a great many adults. Typically, young people have a clarity of vision which enables them to cut through the shapeless clouds of injustice.
Young people are inevitably drawn towards online spaces where they can give voice to their feelings. The online space also lets them connect and engage with others who feel the same way, which makes widespread organisation easier.
Attending schools in London, I can clearly remember my own experiences of activism, though the idea of campaigning for a particular cause or fundraising might not have been called that in the 1970s and 1980s. At that time, most school aged children were engaged through television and radio appeals for donations. We might also have taken part in sponsored walks, fundraising and writing letters to our MP. So, activism among young people is nothing new.
However, what is different is that social media has perhaps made getting involved in social issues more democratic. It now takes less effort to sign a petition, write a message or join and show support for a particular cause.
What role does has social media play in online activism among young people?
As the numbers of young people using social media continue to rise, it’s becoming clear that these platforms give them a voice.
Young people are constantly connected with a camera in their phone at the ready. They are able to lend their support to worthy causes as well as highlight any injustice or ill-treatment, often in quite creative ways.
In summer 2017, Gina Martin took to Facebook to share her experience of upskirting. What started with a post on social media led to a change in the law around upskirting. It’s a great example of how a single conversation online has the power to activate thousands and trigger a shift in attitudes offline. #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo are other examples where social media was used to generate a global discussion on key issues.
Social media is an extremely popular medium for online activism, particularly among young people. They’ve grown up with social media, which means it’s an easily accessible, integral part of their lives.
Although there are dangers on social media, easy communication with others online means that it is also where many young people can find others with similar experiences and opinions on political and social issues. Social media functions through people publishing posts that attract attention. Young people are therefore accustomed to a world in which almost everyone has an opinion, and many issues are discussed in real-time. Younger generations do not generally regularly read newspapers, so social media is a main source of news for many.
Social media posts are rapid-fire messages. They, therefore, provide an excellent source of education on important issues, like institutional racism, and an easy method for discussion. #MeToo showed the power of social media to build momentum and share personal stories, which makes activism more impactful.
During Covid-19, online activism through social media increased in popularity. The speed with which Black Lives Matter gained traction in the UK demonstrates how social media not only unites but also organises young people. Black Lives Matter is also an example of why social media is so important: issues are highlighted online, but something as simple as a one Facebook Event page, which is then shared, could immediately organise a full protest.
Social media allows direct access to policymakers at every level – from the local to the international. It gives young people a way to share petitions for change with many people at once.
The online petition process established by the UK Parliament in 2006 means that individuals can more easily get their ideas heard and discussed at the very highest national policy making level. Campaign groups also make very effective use of technology with organisations such as change.org and 38 Degrees. Along with social media, these sites help build communities to establish a momentum and corpus for change.
What risks should parents know about when it comes to online activism?
It can be difficult to know whether an online campaign is genuine or not. GoFundMe claims that less than one-tenth of 1% of all campaigns are fraudulent. However, there are always going to be situations where we find that we’ve been duped. If this happens, it’s important to report it to the police or to Action Fraud.
Very often, a scam will try and make you feel horrified by what you see. They will show you a hard-hitting image or video designed to make you feel that you must get involved and donate. They might tell you that there is almost enough money to reach their goal and that your contribution will make that vital difference. Donating through more reputable sites who provide a guarantee to the donor is a sensible approach, but encourage your child to spend time researching the cause before jumping on board or lending support.
Sadly, there are people who will seek to take advantage of young people’s generally trusting nature. They will seek to manipulate them for their own financial gain or for other purposes. In extreme cases, they may even seek to draw them towards illegal activity. That poses an obvious challenge to parents.
We don’t want young people to think the world is full of wicked adults seeking to exploit them. On the other hand, neither do we want them to fall into the hands of such people. Talk to young people about double-checking sources, double-checking individuals and the importance of being particularly alert if transferring money or personal data. Your child should feel able to come to you or to another trusted adult who will take them and their concerns seriously and, above all, will listen.
What benefits are there?
Online activism is very accessible and lets everyone express their views and opinions. Children and young people often feel voiceless and powerless by the adult world around them. However, those of us with the privilege of working with children and young people get to see on a regular basis how passionate children and young people can be. This extends to issues such as injustice, equality, diversity and inclusion.
Their eloquence in expressing ideas and opinions is exceptionally powerful because they do not feel intimidated nor professionally allied to any one organisation.
To help young people experience more of the benefits, make navigating activism online a family pursuit or interest. Talk about the issues often, over the dinner table, during car journeys or during other family time.
We all need to be active when supporting views and opinions that we are passionate about to make our world a better place for everyone’s futures.