In today’s digital age, online campaigns have emerged as a force for driving progressive movements and effecting societal change. Unlike traditional grassroots in which one is always constrained and limited in terms of outreach, the instant availability of the internet allows people to reach almost anyone anywhere instantly. It can’t be overstated how this connection brings people together, transforming individual voices into powerful demanders of change.

Using specialized messages and algorithms, organizations can reach out to certain audiences who could prove vital to their mission. For example, some social movements such as #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo have effectively attracted and organized their supporters through social media by mobilizing many of them for demonstrations and fundraising events. This tactic, of course, directs the campaign to those who are most likely to respond to the message, thus improving the chances of engagement and action.

Campaign awareness, to some extent, enables accountability. The shift in the nature of communication as a result of the rise of social media permits injustice addressing in real time, making such issues relevant in the public space. Abuses can be captured and personal accounts of events can be put in the public domain. This demand from the public has initiated changes including but not limited to changes in policies and social justice campaigns, showing that cyberspace is more than just a platform to exchange ideas.

Online campaigns are undeniably reshaping the landscape of progressive movements, making them more inclusive and impactful. 

Being active on some apps and engaging on different issues, I noticed firsthand some progressive change happening due to a hashtag – a simple hashtag that holds personal and powerful experiences and calls to action from ordinary people. Here are some examples of online campaigns that have significantly advanced progressive movements:

• • #BlackLivesMatter: The movement emerged in response to George Zimmerman’s acquittal for killing Trayvon Martin in 2013, and started as a mere hashtag. The movement soon turned into a campaign that sought to fight racism in every corner of the world and especially police brutality against Black people. 
  • #MeToo: Its implementation received a boost in 2017, when actresses turned to social networks to tell about them suffered abuse. This campaign in turn proved that violence against women exists and that women are not afraid anymore to stand up. 
  • #Fridays for Future: Motivated by Greta Thunberg’s initiative of staging a school strike for climate change, this movement led students and environmental campaigners to call for climate justice policies across the globe. Thanks to social media facilitating global campaigns for climate strikes, this campaign has been able to enlist the participation of millions of youths and has placed climate change at the center of political engagement and impacted policies in many nations around the globe.

These are just some of the online campaigns I have seen that have inspired and continue to encourage individuals to speak up and utilized social media as one of the most effective ways of sparking global discourse. 

With the dangers of social media always discussed and highlighted it is also vital to recognize its contribution in advancing our world towards a future free of hatred, violence, and discrimination.

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash