Halupka, Max. 2014. Clicktivism: A systematic heuristic.Policy & Internet 6 (2): 115-32.
Halupka first starts by discussing why clicktivism has come to be viewed as a useless act in political terms. The article argues that online activism is more than just signing online petitions and liking things. Each action is significant in the fight for some sort of political change. Critics of it view it as a way for people to fulfil their moral obligations without actually doing anything but click a button. This article goes against this, discussing why social media activism is actually quite effective, no matter the size of an act.
The author points out that when clicktivism is used as a negative word, it typically only refers to attempts for political change on social media sites. Hacking into databases as a form of protest can be considered activism, which many do not consider when thinking about the issue. This is not an act without consequences, and can actually cause major political changes. Halupka then lists seven features of clicktivism. These features are that it is situated online, it is an impulsive gesture, it is noncommittal, it does not draw upon specialized knowledge, it is easily replicated, it engages a political object, and it is an action performed. Clicktivism has been disregarded as a legitimate form of activism, despite the fact that it has caused political change even if only small scale. This article can help my research by giving several arguments as to why clicktivism (online activism) is a legitimate way to assist a social movement that is looking for political change. The article, however, is heavily based on the author’s opinions and does not have a lot of hard evidence to back up claims that are made. Valenzuela, Sebastián. …show more content…
2013. Unpacking the use of social media for protest behavior: The roles of information, opinion expression, and activism. American Behavioral Scientist 57 (7): 920-42.
The author, Sebastian Valenzuela, begins by giving examples of social movements that have led to discussion about the use of social media in attempts at political change. A study that states social media can bring about group action is referenced, and it is stated that those who participate in protests are often social media users. Three reasons are given as to why social media prompts political change. First, social media can be used as a news source. Second, it is a space where opinions can be spread. Lastly, social media is a place where people can join movements and discover what else they can do for said movement. Valenzuela then goes into further detail about each of these reasons, expanding the concepts even farther. He notes that because some governments track what is being said on social media, political change has become even more likely. A study was done to explore the relationship between social media use and involvement in social movements was conducted on citizens of Chile. Chile was chosen due to a recent string of protests that actually led to a change of law. The study found that there was a correlation between the adults who actively used social media and those who took part in political protests. Social media users were eleven times more likely to participate in street protests. Valenzuela finishes off by discussing the limitations of analyzing the results of this study, but states that these limitations did not discredit the results. This article would be helpful to my research because it has actual data to back up that social media drives political change. It would legitimize any claims that I would make about the subject. The study only focuses on Chile, which could be a bad thing because Chile may have specific variables that other countries do not. Vie, Stephanie. 2014. In defense of 'slacktivism ': The human rights campaign facebook logo as digital …show more content…
Vie then points out that because memes are reaching so many people from so many different cultures, that they are effective in spreading idea for social movements. It is then explained what makes a successful meme- group identification. A large portion of the social media population has to understand and relate to the meme being presented. If group identification occurs, there is more likely to be attention on said meme. This could lead to support for a social movement, just as it did with the Human Rights Campaign marriage equality
Halupka first starts by discussing why clicktivism has come to be viewed as a useless act in political terms. The article argues that online activism is more than just signing online petitions and liking things. Each action is significant in the fight for some sort of political change. Critics of it view it as a way for people to fulfil their moral obligations without actually doing anything but click a button. This article goes against this, discussing why social media activism is actually quite effective, no matter the size of an act.
The author points out that when clicktivism is used as a negative word, it typically only refers to attempts for political change on social media sites. Hacking into databases as a form of protest can be considered activism, which many do not consider when thinking about the issue. This is not an act without consequences, and can actually cause major political changes. Halupka then lists seven features of clicktivism. These features are that it is situated online, it is an impulsive gesture, it is noncommittal, it does not draw upon specialized knowledge, it is easily replicated, it engages a political object, and it is an action performed. Clicktivism has been disregarded as a legitimate form of activism, despite the fact that it has caused political change even if only small scale. This article can help my research by giving several arguments as to why clicktivism (online activism) is a legitimate way to assist a social movement that is looking for political change. The article, however, is heavily based on the author’s opinions and does not have a lot of hard evidence to back up claims that are made. Valenzuela, Sebastián. …show more content…
2013. Unpacking the use of social media for protest behavior: The roles of information, opinion expression, and activism. American Behavioral Scientist 57 (7): 920-42.
The author, Sebastian Valenzuela, begins by giving examples of social movements that have led to discussion about the use of social media in attempts at political change. A study that states social media can bring about group action is referenced, and it is stated that those who participate in protests are often social media users. Three reasons are given as to why social media prompts political change. First, social media can be used as a news source. Second, it is a space where opinions can be spread. Lastly, social media is a place where people can join movements and discover what else they can do for said movement. Valenzuela then goes into further detail about each of these reasons, expanding the concepts even farther. He notes that because some governments track what is being said on social media, political change has become even more likely. A study was done to explore the relationship between social media use and involvement in social movements was conducted on citizens of Chile. Chile was chosen due to a recent string of protests that actually led to a change of law. The study found that there was a correlation between the adults who actively used social media and those who took part in political protests. Social media users were eleven times more likely to participate in street protests. Valenzuela finishes off by discussing the limitations of analyzing the results of this study, but states that these limitations did not discredit the results. This article would be helpful to my research because it has actual data to back up that social media drives political change. It would legitimize any claims that I would make about the subject. The study only focuses on Chile, which could be a bad thing because Chile may have specific variables that other countries do not. Vie, Stephanie. 2014. In defense of 'slacktivism ': The human rights campaign facebook logo as digital …show more content…
Vie then points out that because memes are reaching so many people from so many different cultures, that they are effective in spreading idea for social movements. It is then explained what makes a successful meme- group identification. A large portion of the social media population has to understand and relate to the meme being presented. If group identification occurs, there is more likely to be attention on said meme. This could lead to support for a social movement, just as it did with the Human Rights Campaign marriage equality