Disclaimer: The following blog post is not a reflection of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s opinion on any of the topics or subjects discussed below.
In the last two decades, social media has become a central part of our daily life and a catalyst for change in society. With over 4 billion people using social media globally, various platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram have become a way for people to express themselves and share information about topics they are passionate about.[1] The explosion of these platforms has allowed activists and advocates to use social media as an efficient and influential way to spread information and awareness about societal issues. Social media’s unique qualities have allowed it to become a meeting place where people across the globe can discuss issues and share information virtually. Because of this, social media has become by far the most important medium for people to protest and speak out about societal or political issues, giving them a platform to share their voices and connect with those to assemble protests.
The interconnected relationship between social media and mass protest can be seen in the birth and rapid rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement. This relationship focused on the spread of the #blacklivesmatter hashtag.[2] In Mundts’ article, he explains that the hashtag allowed the general public to connect with the movement through their own personal stories and feelings. This allowed a coalition of individuals who otherwise would never have connected to join the Black Lives Matter movement as they were empowered by their ability to share their own experiences.
The Me Too movement also demonstrated the power of social media to energize a movement. The phrase was coined by Tarana Burke when she started the Me Too nonprofit in 2006, but attention only exploded when Alyssa Milano’s tweet using the hashtag went viral eleven years later in 2017.[3] This was a catalyst for many women to share their own experiences with multiple high profile male celebrities and their inappropriate actions. One study showed that the hashtag #MeToo was used 19 million times in the year after Milano’s viral tweet.[4] This resulted in Time magazine naming #MeToo activists as persons of the year.[5] Social media, with its ability to unite individuals through a shared experience, created a safe and supportive space for women to call out high-profile men on their inappropriate behavior within the arts. The Me Too movement flexed its power through utilizing social media as a medium for women to share their own voices and in turn empowered many to speak about their experiences.
Social media also has the unique power to connect people with political activists, impacting voting turnout. Researchers found that having a connection to political activists on social media positively influences voting patterns.[6] These findings show that technologically aware generations have the ability to connect to political activists, which in turn can increase participation in elections. Social media can expose users to new perspectives and opinions, giving them the tools to develop and change their own political views. While social media has the potential to positively impact the public by allowing them to find spaces where they can connect to those who share the same interests, it also has the dangerous ability to spread misinformation. Without proper surveillance of the information being spread from social media companies, it is easy for misinformation to spread and be labeled as correct. This can lead many to make decisions based on false information. Fact checking surveillance needs to be put in place by companies who run popular social media platforms in order to stop the spread of misinformation.
Overall, social media’s ability to connect people with shared experiences and passions has given many a safe space to speak out about problems in society. Social media has given the underrepresented a voice and has empowered activists of all kinds, but more importantly, the general public, to engage in discussion about the severe misconduct in society that would otherwise be left to fester. Notwithstanding its faults, social media enables everyone to find a space they feel comfortable in and has spread awareness and information about ongoing protests against systemic racism and sexism.
[1] Dean, Brian. “Social Network Usage & Growth Statistics: How Many People Use Social Media in 2022?” Backlinko. February 6, 2023.
[2] Mundt, Marcia, Ross, Karen, and Burnett, Charla. “Scaling Social Movements Through Social Media: The Case of Black Lives Matter.” Sage Journals. February 6, 2023.
[3] Dilley, Alexandra, et al. “An Incomplete List of Events Related to “Me Too” & #MeToo Movement (2006–2020)”. Women & Therapy. February 6, 2023.
[4] Brown, Dalvin. “19 Million Tweets Later: A Look at #MeToo a Year After the Hashtag Went Viral.” USA Today. February 6, 2023.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Nkrumah Kof Frimpong, Adasa, et al. “The Impact of Social Media Political Activists on Voting Patterns.” Springer Science and Business Media. February 8, 2023.