Social Media, Personal Gratification, And Activism

With modern technology, people connected now more than ever before. The internet has allowed for an “intensification and acceleration of social exchanges and activities” in our world (Sterger 14). We can “poke” someone from across the room, instantly message someone 500 miles away, or live stream important events and celebrations to friends and family all around the world, all with the click of a button. For some, our daily technology was the stuff seen in science fiction, but for millennials it is the norm. It is all they have ever known. Social media has taken Generation Y by storm and has become a thing of self expression, personal gratification, and activism. Considering the rocky political climate and new wave of social movements,

While the popularity of some sites have come and gone such as Myspace and Vine, sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram have maintained their following. Within past few years, social media has become a huge part in social and political activism. According to Conwell, “Facebook and Twitter are used the most for showing support of various movements, and Instagram a little bit too.” Recent topics of discussion and advocacy include the 2016 election, Black Lives Matter, the Aleppo bombings, the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the 2017 Women’s March. Users responded to these movements by sharing news articles, posting photos, and writing opinionated

“If it weren’t for people posting on social media I don’t think I would have known about the pipeline in North Dakota and how it could affect the reservation and the Native Americans that live there,” said Conwell. Social media creates awareness, and awareness creates healthy discussion. That is not to say that there are not times where discussions turn into heated, disrespectful arguments, because that definitely happens. Although topics may be uncomfortable to talk about, it is good to know what is going on in the world and understand different thoughts, opinions, and points of view in order to make your own educated opinion. In addition to awareness, social media allows for UNITY and brings people together for a cause. The recent Women’s March on January 21st, 2017 shows how powerful social platforms can be in bringing people together. “I wasn’t able to go [to the march], but I had a lot of friends who did and was able to still feel involved because of all the live streaming and posting on Facebook,” said Conwell. Many Facebook and Instagram users took to live streaming their perspective of the various marches around the world. The organizers of the D.C. march even made it a priority to stream all the speakers at the event so that anyone could tune in and feel a part of the action. The original Women’s March was organized for Washington