Flipbook - film260 - michael kirreh

1. THE “COOL” FACTOR OF
CLICKTIVISM
By Michael Kirreh
Photo Credit: Michael Kirreh. 2016. Clicktivism.

2. With easier access to information online, internet users
are becoming more aware of global problems.
The result?
Clicktivism:
The use of digital communication technologies in
support of worthy causes.
(1)
Photo credit: CC by Frederico Cintra. Control Is An Option
To Command. 2008. Via Flickr. Modified.

3. According to Pew
Research,
of young
adults, and
of teens use
social media.
90%
(2)
76%
It is no surprise that social media
has become the medium of
choice for digital activism. Photo credit: CC by magicatwork. Social
Media.
2014. Via Flickr. Modified.
(3)

4. Social media has become a
powerful, if not essential, tool
for connecting causes with
those who might support
them. (4)
Photo credit: CC by Jason Howie. Instagram and other
Social Media Apps. 2012. Via Flickr. Modified.
“
”- Craig and Marc Kielburger. CNEWS.

5. In a media economy, people have become
seduced by distraction.
(5)
Photo credit: CC by Cameron Norman. Tablet World. 2013.
Via Flickr. Modified.
Attention is now so highly coveted that software
companies, app developers, and scientists are studying
how to capture it.
So what gets people to care?

6. The hashtag has become a clicktivism staple. Hashtags
give visibility to causes, can attract attention, and assemble the
masses. High numbers of hashtags mentions indicate greater
attention to a movement. (6)
#Photo credit: CC by Brownose. New Apple Keyboard (Side View). 2007.
Via Flickr. Modified.

7. When attempting to create
awareness through hashtags,Ritu
Sharma writes,
The reality is, overexposure is
necessary in this day and age
of constant information. It
takes seven to eight
exposures, on average, to
motivate someone to take
action. (7)
Photo credit: CC by
Wendy Cope. Illuminated.
2012. Via Flickr. Modified.
“
”

8. The ALS #icebucketchallenge is one of the few
examples of viral hashtags that created a global explosion in
awareness among social media platforms. The overexposure of the
hashtag eventually raised the ALS association $15.6
million from July 29 to August 18 in 2014. This was over
800% of what was raised during that same time period in the
previous year. Photo credit: CC by Tara Schmidt. Ice. 2014. Via Flickr. Modified.
(7)

9. The Benefits of Social Media
Activism:
1.
2.
3.
It organizes community activism.
It empowers citizens.
Allows for coordination in emergency
situations.
Photo credit: CC by Adikos. Female Typing. 2010. Via Flickr. Modified.
(8)

10. The real power of social media is that it
may be used by any person or group
aiming for a common goal.
Its accessibility is what
drives change.
Photo credit: CC by Zeevveez. Wheelchair.
2012. Via Flickr. Modified.
(6)
Individuals with disabilities, caretakers, or
busy parents are given the opportunity join
causes and express their opinions and allow
their voices to be heard as well.

11. Social technology has the ability to create a
ripple effect.
When an idea or a concept has reached a tipping point, it has
the ability to spread very quickly in a chain reaction. Like a
ripple, small actions can create a disproportionate effect
compared to the original resource.
Hence the phrase “going viral”.
(8)
Photo credit: CC by Tim Green. Ripples.
2008. Via Flickr. Modified.

12. Clicktivism has increased in
popularity amongst social
media users as a bid to fit in.
People are using the causes they
care about in order to showcase
their personalities online and
create positive digital footprints.
Photo credit: CC by r. nial bradshaw. 15-02-21-
texting-text-smartphone-hands.jpg 2015. Via Flickr.
Modified.

13. Millennials care about what others
think. When we make decisions,
especially good ones – like making a
contribution to a cause – we want
our friends and family, and our entire
social media network, to know about
it.
- Kadi McDonald
“
”
(9)
Photo credit: CC by DeclanTM. Apple Keyboard. 2008. Via Flickr. Modified.

14. In a study by Cone
Communications, it was
found that 71% of
millennials go on social
media in order to discuss
causes they care about
and 80% are more likely
to donate to causes
online. (10)
Photo credit: CC by GotCredit.com. Money. 2015. Via Flickr. Modified.

15. Causes.com, a website dedicated to
digital activism, has been instated to
encourage online users to “build
your profile and show the world what
you care about.”
Change.org’s Facebook sign in
makes it easy for anyone with an
account to share petitions and
showcase the causes they care about
to people in their friend list.
(11)
Photo credit: CC by
iRuben. Trackpad. 2011.
Via Flickr. Modified.

16. Digital engagement around social and
environmental issues allows everyone
to be an activist, a philanthropist, and
a hero. The challenge for
organizations is to convert that click
of a button into a powerful gateway
for deeper impact.
- Alison DaSilva, Executive Vice
President, Cone Communications
“
”
(10)
Photo credit: CC by Simeon Berg. Connected. 2016. Via Flickr. Modified.

17. Tumblr has also become a
popular platform for
activism with 64% of
users saying they care
about social causes and
look into them on Tumblr.
The ability for Tumblr users to reblog posts,
try on online personas, and find others who
share similar interests is what makes it such
a powerful platform for digital activism.
Photo credit: Tumblr.com
(12)

18. A lot of millennials have been
discouraged for a long time. Now, with
social media, they feel empowered, like
people are hearing their voice. And
Tumblr is a great platform for all types of
media.
- Zellie Thomas, Creator of Black Culture Tumblr blog.
“
”(12)
Photo credit: CC by Adikos. 在柔光下. 2010. Via Flickr. Modified.

19. However, the rise of digital activism has also led to a rise
of the social justice warriors – a term to describe
those who engage in disingenuous social arguments or
activism in order to raise their personal reputation.
As a result, the meanings behind social and political movements
are lost.
The novelty of online activism wears off, millions of
formerly socially engaged individuals who trusted
digital organizations - are coming away believing in the
impotence of all forms of activism.
“
”-Mica White, The Guardian
(13)
(14)
Photo credit: CC by pmquan. iPhone Shutting
Down. 2007. Via Flickr. Modified.

20. In an information economy,
we are always on the brink
of digital overload. New
hashtags are trending daily
and people’s priorities
change as fast as topics stop
trending.
Do people stop caring as soon as it
stops being cool to pour ice over
your head?Photo credit: CC by Karlis Dambrans. Macbook Pro 15
Retina. 2013. Via Flickr. Modified.

21. Social media activism is useless if it doesn’t
create awareness that leads to action off the
internet.
- Sabina Khan Ibarra
“
” (6)
Photo credit: CC by i1-nettverket. p8160723. 2010. Via Flickr. Modified.
One thing is for sure,
Action is what gives clicktivism its “cool” factor.

22. (1) Stern, M., (2014, March 31). In Praise of Clicktivism. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/caryl-m-stern/in-praise-of-clicktivism_b_6978314.html
(2) Pew Research Center, (2015, October 8). Social Media Usage: 2005-2015. Pew Research
Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/10/08/social-networking-usage-
2005-2015/
(3) Lenhart, A., (2015, August 6). Chapter 4: Social Media and Friendships. Pew Research
Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/08/06/chapter-4-social-media-
and-friendships/
(4) Kielberger, C., and Kielberger, M., (2015, April 10). A click is not enough to have an
impact on the world. Canoe News. Retrieved from
http://cnews.canoe.com/CNEWS/World/2015/04/10/22337541.html
(5) Anderssen, E., (2014, March 29). Digital overload: how we are seduced by distraction.
The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from
http://www.theglobeandmail.com.proxy.queensu.ca/life/relationships/digital-overload-how-
we-are-seduced-by-distraction/article17725778/?page=all
Works Cited:

23. (6) Khan-Ibarra, S., (2014, November 13). The Case For Social Media and Hashtag Activism.
The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sabina-khanibarra/the-
case-for-social-media_b_6149974.html
(7)Sharma, R., (2014, August 20). Stop Pouring Ice on Clicktivism. The Huffington Post.
Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ritusharma/stop-pouring-ice-on-
click_b_5692555.html
(8) Bresciani, S., and Schmeil, A., (2012). Social Media Platforms for Social Good. IEE
International Conference on Digital Ecosystems and Technologies (DEST). ChaMpione
d’Italia, 2012:1-6. Retrieved from
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org.proxy.queensu.ca/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6227944&tag
=1
(9) McDonald, K., (2014, February 18). Cuase Marketing and Millenials. Third Sector Today.
Retrieved from http://thirdsectortoday.com/2014/02/18/cause-marketing-and-millennials/
Works Cited:

24. (10) Cone Communications, Inc., (2014, November 12). Six-in-10 Americans Believe Social
Media is an Effective Form of Activism, According to New Cone Communications Research.
Cone Communications, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/six-
in-10-americans-believe-social-media-is-an-effective-form-of-activism-according-to-new-
cone-communications-research-282415441.html
(11) Causes.com, (2016). Homepage. Causes.com. Retrieved from
https://www.causes.com/
(12) Safronova, V., (2014, December 19). Millenials and the Age of Tumblr Activism. The New
York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/21/style/millennials-and-the-
age-of-tumblr-activism.html
(13) Wikipedia., (2016). Social Justice Warrior. Wikipedia. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice_warrior
(14) White, M., (2012, August 12). Clicktivism is ruining leftist activism. The Guardian.
Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/aug/12/clicktivism-
ruining-leftist-activism
Works Cited: