Digital Writing for Social Action: Thoughts and Reflection
Public writing is now more accessible than ever in the internet age. Anyone may spread their thoughts throughout the world via social media, blogs, and other online channels. While the democratization of public conversation may be a good thing, it also opens the door for anyone to disseminate false information or dangerous materials. It is free to create social media accounts, so people are able to post whatever they want whenever they want. It is very easy to post negative content with no consequence because you’re hiding behind a screen, sometimes with no online persona. Conscientious digital citizenship has therefore become more crucial for public writers. Public writers can contribute to keeping the online environment a place for effective, courteous, and responsible communication by accepting responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and impact of their writing.
Being conscious of the effects of one’s online writing is a necessary part of responsible digital citizenship. Public writers must understand that their words have the power to significantly affect their readers, and that it is their duty to make sure that their material is factual, respectful, and suitable for their target audience. For instance, a writer writing a story on a contentious subject must take into account how their words can be taken and how they might influence public conversation. Words may be easily misinterpreted behind the screen because you aren’t talking to the writer and they might be writing with a different tone.
The journalist can contribute to a fruitful and educated discussion by fact-checking their sources, speaking politely, and offering balanced coverage. As students read a slideshow from Digital Writing for Social Action, they learned how important reflection writing was. As a writer, it is very important to be held accountable for your work and the words you post online. Your audience is paying attention, and you may even sway them one way because of your opinion. A journalist could cause harm if they disseminate false information, employ polarizing language, or show only one side of an issue.
Being conscious of the power dynamics at work in online communication is another aspect of responsible digital citizenship. Public authors must understand that they may have greater power, visibility, and privilege than their readers or followers and that it is their duty to exercise such authority in a morally and responsibly manner. For instance, a famous person with a sizable social media following can use their platform to spread awareness of crucial causes like social justice or ecology.
Kim Kardashian was sued over 1.2 million dollars for being untruthful about a crypto brand she was promoting. Obviously, she was being paid a good amount of money to post their content, but what does Kim K know about cryptocurrency? Kim is known for the personal brand she’s built that contains beauty products and more. Never cryptocurrency! Celebrities must be aware not to take advantage of their supporters, spread harmful or deceptive information, or engage in harassment or bullying. The celebrity can encourage constructive social change and motivate their fans to take action by wisely leveraging their platform.
Finally, responsible digital citizenship requires understanding the larger social context of online communication. Public authors need to understand that the online writing they produce is a component of a much bigger dialogue that includes a wide range of perspectives, identities, and experiences. If a white author writes about racial issues, for instance, they should be aware that their perspective is constrained by their own experiences and that they should be careful not to speak for or over the experiences of people of color. The writer can contribute to a more inclusive and polite public dialogue by being aware of their own biases and limits and by paying attention to many points of view.
The second generation of the World Wide Web, known as Web 2.0, has completely changed how people interact with information and one another. With Web 2.0, users can interact with one another in fresh and engaging ways thanks to user-generated content, social networking, and collaborative tools. These may include social media live streams, discord, and online live game shows. Civic life has been significantly impacted by this transition, both in the United States and beyond. Web 2.0 practices and discourses have led to significant changes in how people interact with politics, social issues, and public discourse, from the Arab Spring to Black Lives Matter, from the growth of fake news to the amplifying of underrepresented voices.
By offering new platforms for political and social activity, Web 2.0 has significantly changed civic life in the United States and around the world. It is now simpler to mobilize people behind causes and issues because of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook that enable activists to organize and magnify their ideas. For instance, social media was essential in coordinating protests, disseminating news, and drawing attention to violations of human rights during the Arab Spring events of 2010 and 2011. Similar to this, the “Black Lives Matter” movement has organized protests and actions using social media to spread awareness of police brutality and institutional racism. As well as the Capitol riots a couple years ago, events and plans are organized on social media. It is now the easiest way to reach people, especially if something goes viral. Once a post goes viral, there’s no sign of when it will stop. These instances show how Web 2.0 has given activists the tools they need to question established hierarchies and demand reform.
But the emergence of Web 2.0 has also contributed to the dissemination of false information as well as the amplification of hate speech and extreme viewpoints. Fake news and propaganda are more easily distributed thanks to social media’s lack of gatekeepers and rapid information dissemination, which frequently has negative repercussions.
For instance, Russian agents utilized social media to disseminate erroneous information and stir discord during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Similar to how the rise of far-right movements and the radicalization of individuals have been influenced by the prevalence of hate speech and extremist beliefs on social media. These instances highlight the difficulties that Web 2.0 presents for civic life as well as the necessity of responsible and moral online behavior.
The democratization of public discourse is another significant change brought about by Web 2.0 in civic life. More people may now take part in public discourse and contribute their thoughts and experiences because of the growth of blogging, podcasting, and other kinds of user-generated content. This has given marginalized voices a chance to be heard and given way to new perspectives. Social media has made it possible for activists from underrepresented groups to tell their stories and fight for their rights, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people. These instances show how Web 2.0 has the potential to encourage more inclusive and varied civic engagement.
I have learned a lot about how to effectively communicate my thoughts through writing while engaging my intended audience throughout this course, “Digital Writing for Social Action.” I have learned how to correctly credit my sources, which is one of the important skills I have gained and will use in the future. My ability to write ethically and credibly has been substantially helped by Dr. Richard’s thorough instructions on how to use citations correctly and prevent plagiarism. The activities, articles, and slideshows we go over in class play a significant role in my understanding of the class and beyond.
The course showed me how to spot dependable sources and steer clear of dubious ones. I never knew Wikipedia had so many functions! Students were always told not to use Wikipedia because it was untrue. Knowing how to distinguish between reliable information and fake news is crucial in a time when disinformation is pervasive. I have developed into a more knowledgeable, and responsible writer, as a result of learning how to assess the reliability of sources and employ trustworthy sources in my work.
I have also improved as a writer in general. I gained knowledge on how to write in a way that is more understandable to my audience. In a way that is clear, succinct, and successful. I learned how to tailor my writing to particular audiences through a variety of writing tasks, including blogging and using social media.
I also discovered how to enjoy writing. Throughout my lower school and middle school years, writing was possibly my worst academic trait. I enjoyed the chance to explore several writing genres and use my creativity in this class. Writing at times might seem like a chore, but as I have learned to embrace various styles of writing and find ways to make it more pleasurable, I have gained confidence and enthusiasm for my work.
My experience with Digital Writing for Social Action has been life-changing. I have gained useful skills from this course that will help me in both my academic and professional endeavors. I am appreciative that I had the chance to learn so much, and I look forward to continuing to hone my writing and communication abilities.
