How Social Media Shapes Modern Activism

Scroll long enough on Instagram or Tiktok, and you’ll stumble into a mini-protest; a stitched video calling out injustice, or a trending hashtag fighting for attention between memes and matcha cookie recipes. Activism today is very different from 30 years ago, it doesn’t start with a march or revolution but with a swipe, post or comment. 

Social media hasn’t just changed how we communicate; but rewired how we fight for change. Depending on who you ask, it’s either the greatest democratizing force of our time, or the reason activism feels like fast fashion. This shift allows a single moment of documentation to become a global frenzy or global point of awareness, depending on its outcome. 

A movement that once needed months of organizing now can reach millions overnight. Think of #BlackLivesMatter or how many on Tikok have changed their profile pictures to purple, supporting the South African women who have been silenced - these simple posts online have inspired millions of people to do something in response, even if it’s just changing a profile picture or posting with a hashtag. Social platforms have transformed awareness from something slow and local to a global movement.

However, awareness does not equal action. A hashtag can mobilize millions of people to care, but sustaining momentum, translating this into a long-term change is the real challenge. The fundraising, non-profits created and important public members raising awareness to enforce laws is the real change but this can start with thousands of people changing their profiles. So, is social media saving activism or sinking it?

The voices that were historically excluded are now being heard and globally people are coming together. It compresses complex issues into understandable, bite-sized content which sometimes rewards the aesthetic of activism more than the substance. Yet, the accessibility of social media can give marginalised groups a platform previously denied to them, highlighting world issues. 

The media is the best way to bring light to these issues in today’s day and age; it may not be a direct solution but it takes a singular voice and amplifies it for all to hear which does make an impact.