Strategic Social Media as Activism: Repression, Resistance, Rebellion, Reform

Social media has become an essential tool for strategic communication for social change, providing a platform for activists to raise awareness, mobilize support, and effect change. This book provides an historical and theoretical overview of social media, combining insights from leading scholars and educators in the field.

Format: Hardback
Length: 314 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Social media has emerged as a powerful tool for communication and social change in recent years, with its ability to connect people from all over the world and share information quickly and easily. This essay provides an historical and theoretical overview of social media, combining insights from communication scholars and educators to explore its potential for social change.

Social media has evolved rapidly since its inception in the early 2000s, with platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram becoming household names. It has revolutionized the way we communicate, allowing us to connect with others instantly, share our thoughts and experiences, and organize for social change.

One of the key strengths of social media is its ability to reach large audiences quickly and easily. With billions of users on social media platforms, it is possible to disseminate information and messages to a vast number of people in a matter of seconds. This has made it an invaluable tool for activists and organizations seeking to raise awareness about social issues and promote social change.

Social media has also been used to facilitate direct action and organizing for social change. For example, the #MeToo movement, which began on social media in 2017, has led to a global reckoning of sexual harassment and assault, with millions of people speaking out and calling for change. Similarly, the Black Lives Matter movement, which emerged on social media in 2013, has used social media to organize protests, raise awareness, and demand accountability from law enforcement and political leaders.

However, social media has also been criticized for its negative impact on social change. One concern is the spread of misinformation and fake news, which can undermine public trust and hinder social progress. Additionally, social media can be a source of division and polarization, with users often retreating into their own echo chambers and forming communities that reinforce their own beliefs and values.

To address these challenges, it is important for activists and organizations to use social media strategically. This involves creating content that is engaging, informative, and relevant to their target audience, and using social media platforms to build relationships and engage with others. It also involves being aware of the potential negative impacts of social media and taking steps to mitigate them, such as fact-checking information and promoting respectful dialogue.

In conclusion, social media has the potential to be a powerful tool for social change, but it is important to use it strategically and responsibly. By combining insights from communication scholars and educators, we can better understand the potential of social media for social change and develop effective strategies for using it to promote positive social change.
Social media has emerged as a powerful tool for communication and social change in recent years, with its ability to connect people from all over the world and share information quickly and easily. This essay provides an historical and theoretical overview of social media, combining insights from communication scholars and educators to explore its potential for social change.

Social media has evolved rapidly since its inception in the early 2000s, with platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram becoming household names. It has revolutionized the way we communicate, allowing us to connect with others instantly, share our thoughts and experiences, and organize for social change.

One of the key strengths of social media is its ability to reach large audiences quickly and easily. With billions of users on social media platforms, it is possible to disseminate information and messages to a vast number of people in a matter of seconds. This has made it an invaluable tool for activists and organizations seeking to raise awareness about social issues and promote social change.

Social media has also been used to facilitate direct action and organizing for social change. For example, the #MeToo movement, which began on social media in 2017, has led to a global reckoning of sexual harassment and assault, with millions of people speaking out and calling for change. Similarly, the Black Lives Matter movement, which emerged on social media in 2013, has used social media to organize protests, raise awareness, and demand accountability from law enforcement and political leaders.

However, social media has also been criticized for its negative impact on social change. One concern is the spread of misinformation and fake news, which can undermine public trust and hinder social progress. Additionally, social media can be a source of division and polarization, with users often retreating into their own echo chambers and forming communities that reinforce their own beliefs and values.

To address these challenges, it is important for activists and organizations to use social media strategically. This involves creating content that is engaging, informative, and relevant to their target audience, and using social media platforms to build relationships and engage with others. It also involves being aware of the potential negative impacts of social media and taking steps to mitigate them, such as fact-checking information and promoting respectful dialogue.

In conclusion, social media has the potential to be a powerful tool for social change, but it is important to use it strategically and responsibly. By combining insights from communication scholars and educators, we can better understand the potential of social media for social change and develop effective strategies for using it to promote positive social change.

Weight: 789g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032272191