QUESTION: Consider what you have learned about collective behavior, social movements, and social change this week. How is the global expansion of social media likely to affect how people pursue social change? How has it done so already? Use specific examples as you analyze social movements, social change, and the media.
STUDENT 1 (Ashley): The global expansion of social media is already affecting how people pursue social change in multiple ways. The percentage of people involved in social media outlets such as twitter, instagram, facebook, etc. has practically doubled over the years. The “hashtag activism” is the movement to spread awareness online regarding social issues embraced and defined as important by well-known public figures and ordinary people alike (Chambliss & Eglitis, 2016, p. 475). This movement of hashtag activism is being seen all over social media these days. For instance in 2014 a campaign was started in response to the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from a Nigerian boarding school. Through online resources they initiated #BringBackOurGirls which turned into a global movement that accrued over two million tweets (Chambliss & Eglitis, 2016, p. 475). To me these types of movements are affecting people in a positive and negative type of way. While there are things that social media are good for there also the bad things that bring on more hate and negativity that doesn’t need to be there. I feel the most current social movements that have been happening are for pure stardom and fame and not really getting across what the true meaning of what they’re doing is. You don’t need to march through streets, set fires and rally to make a change, it’s only caused more problems in the world.
Chambliss, W. J. & Eglitis, D. S. (2016). Discover sociology. (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.
STUDENT 2 (Lester): Social media redefine global scenery. It affects the state of communication with friends, or family or strangers on how we maintain up-to-date with the newest news; and how trade operate. Across the globe, there are many people who use social systems, such as Whatsapp, Twitter, and Facebook.Social media provides a new medium for companies to target and attract their respective audiences more effectively.
First of all, by publicity on social websites or mobile submission, firms can find new clients and increase their brand consciousness in a range of setting. Original content can be shared immediately. Social media also offer the platform for trade to learn more about their spectators from their outline details, such as gender, age or even most important language spoken. This costs considerably less than customary research methods. Furthermore, social media permit for the creation of significant relationships with customers throughout social media, by aiding scheme of communication. In account to that, any dialogue between a client and the firm can be examined in order to take hold of an improved perspective on a variety of image or produce requirements.
Activities have been vividly promoted through Social media. For instance, through Facebook support, customers can be marched for those who are most probable to be concerned in consuming their goods and services. At the same time as boosting the profitability of these businesses, Face book’s requirements also boost demand for itinerant devices and internet connectivity to, which creates constructive externalities in stipulations of the industrial infrastructure of financial system across the globe.
STUDENT 3 (grigg): I believe the global advance of social media will advance social change due to the rapid validation once can receive in their peer group. An example would be the women’s march against Trump that took place across the world. Even though the election took place in the United States, this rally took place all over the world with over one million supporters. Before social media there may have only been one rally, but now they take place in multiple locations all across the world. It is an amazing thing, that you can have support for whatever cause no matter how insignificant the cause that you are fighting for. This of course can be a great thing when you are actually fighting for possible human rights violations. You can organize effectively and even build a large following when it comes to social media giving your cause a strong voice.
The events have to be organized or emotions can exceed normal levels and lead to potential violence causing the loss of respect for your movement. This can be seen with the Black Lives Matter movements, while a great cause, their legitimacy has been called into question multiple times due to a few “bad apples” that overshadow the entire group’s voice. It is important to try to have strong leadership when we have these movements, and it seems with social media we have no clear leadership in these movements. While we are gaining a lot more momentum as well as activity in our peer groups, it seems as though we are quick to lose control and I attribute this to that lack of leadership. Back in the past, everyone seemed to organize through one central location allowing for that control. Martin Luther King’s leadership led to incredibly large and peaceful protests even though they were never treated with the same respect that they deserved.
I think a lot of what is going on right now is fear of the unknown, we have no idea of what is going to happen and we all want nothing more than to ensure our rights are preserved and expanded upon to protect human rights.
