From Posting to Protesting
Social media is no longer just a place to build a brand, make memes, or share selfies.
The conflicts that have taken place during the 2020 election year, such as natural disasters, racial injustice, and the global pandemic have given social media a new role: encouraging political and social activism.
While baby boomers largely ignore these platforms and millennials attempt to adapt to its ever-changing technology, the generation of digital natives have skillfully manipulated these tools to advance their agendas.
Following the death of George Floyd, Gen Z employed all social media outlets they had at their disposal. Facebook was used to plan marches and protests. Twitter was used to track news. Instagram was a place to post helpful information — and BlackoutTuesday on June 2nd was largely organized on its platform. Finally, TikTok was used to derail both Trump and white supremacist agendas.
A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2018 concluded that 97% of American teenagers use at least one of the major online platforms and 45% use technology almost constantly. While about a quarter of those surveyed said this continual use of social media has resulted in negative effects such as depression or anxiety, more respondents said that the effects have been positive, often citing the ability to connect with friends and family.
Social media’s ability to connect people became critical during quarantine when many adolescents were suddenly isolated from their peers. As they turned to Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to stay in touch, teens were soon introduced to like-minded individuals across city, state, and even national borders.
When social media began spreading constant reminders of the world’s political and social turmoil, these online communities full of both celebrities and friends provided persistent peer pressure to get involved.
Kpop was a particularly vigilant community in battling racist agendas.
According to the New York Times, Kpop stans were able to take over hashtags like #WhiteLivesMatter, “By spamming it with endless K-pop videos, in hopes to make it harder for white supremacists and sympathizers to find one another and communicate their messaging.” The New York Times also recognized that the Kpop community raised $1 million for Black Lives Matter, crashed a Dalace Police iWatch app, called in false tickets for Trump rallies to raise attendance expectations, and organized various “pranks” against the police and the Trump administration. All of their actions were coordinated through social media, primarily Twitter and TikTok.
Twitter and TikTok’s algorithms are particularly successful in organizing and grouping individuals based on their tastes. As the groups grew larger on both platforms, their communication and innovative strategies began to excel. According to Elijah Daniel, a YouTuber interviewed by the New York Times, “K-pop Twitter and Alt TikTok have a good alliance where they spread information amongst each other very quickly. They all know the algorithms and how they can boost videos to get where they want.”
However, these social media factions pose some concerns. Primarily, the matter of selective exposure. As social media algorithms collect data on individual users, the content that is then shown to the user becomes more and more narrow. While this will connect users with media that is in their direct interests, it may isolate them from other information, viewpoints, and communities.
Also, while people may be active online, there is the possibility that they may not be active anywhere else. This has become known as “clicktivism.”
However, Gen Z is one step ahead.
They have found ways to be effective activists, both outside and online. As co-founder of March For Our Lives, Dolan-Sandrino pointed out “Whether Gen Zers’ talents are singing, dancing, graphic design, or writing essays… they can make a real difference by creating any work that is inclusive or advocates for a cause.”
While social media is only a tool, it’s one Gen Z has been able to use well in their pursuit of social reform. Gen Z’s online connectedness and creativity have already impacted American politics. While so far their effect may be slight, they have shown that they are ready to be the change they wish to see in the world.
- Zell Burke
Sources
DiLonardo, M. (2017, May 31). Does ‘Clicktivism’ Do Any Good? Retrieved from https://www.treehugger.com/clicktivism-do-any-good-4862020
Lorenz, T., Browning, K., & Frenkel, S. (2020, June 21). TikTok Teens and K-Pop Stans Say They Sank Trump Rally. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/style/tiktok-trump-rally-tulsa.html
MacColl, M. (2019, May 02). Statistics On Gen Z & Activism Show They Want To Get Involved, They Just Need To Know How. Retrieved from https://www.bustle.com/p/statistics-on-gen-z-activism-show-they-want-to-get-involved-they-just-need-to-know-how-17179280
Parker, K., & Igielnik, R. (2020, May 14). What We Know About Gen Z So Far. Retrieved from https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/essay/on-the-cusp-of-adulthood-and-facing-an-uncertain-future-what-we-know-about-gen-z-so-far/
