Technology and Activism

In this week’s class, we watched a documentary about how activists are using technology to their advantage to incite a Syrian revolution against an oppressive state regime. Through Facebook, activists like Ala’a Basatneh are able to coordinate protests and connect with each other in their efforts to take down Bashar Al-Assad. The documentary proves that in the last decade, technology has played an immense role in activism. It is a tool that people can use to get their voices heard.

The most recent example of this can be seen in the gun rights activists who march in the wake of the Parkland shooting. Young people have coordinated walk-outs across the country through platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The “March for Our Lives” political activism movement has been able to garner so much attention because of social media. Additionally, Parkland activists are able to spread their message through Twitter. They post tweets stating the goals of the movement and calling out those who refuse to pass gun legislation.

Their use of social media in activism showcases the future of activism across the world. Its efficacy is truly inspiring to activists all over the world. Here are some examples of the way Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter are being used in the gun control movement: