Digital activism has become increasingly prevalent over the last five years, but its impact over the past few months has been unprecedented. In the wake of viral video footage of police officers unlawfully killing African-American George Floyd this summer, even as real life stood still, the virtual world rallied to create mass socio-political upheaval. The internet-born Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement re-emerged at the forefront of mainstream discourse with new verve, sparking anti-racism protests worldwide.

SOCIAL MEDIA, THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT, AND GLOBAL IMPACT

The speed and magnitude at which demonstrations were organised and took place was extraordinary, and inherently due to the use of social media. Social media offers the ability to give authentic first-hand accounts of events, and has become a vital way to communicate incidents of injustice which traditional media either omits, or presents with an underlying agenda. In this case, information on how to educate ourselves on black history was broadcast across platforms , along with live footage of demonstrations, acts of defiance,  and practical guidance on where and how to safely protest. The BLM movement has galvanized and maintained momentum through impassioned posts and first-hand stories, helping people to understand the significance of the movement and the reasons behind it, as well as the manner in which it has cultivated deeply profound and positive change.

The advantage of online activism is that it has no geographical constraints. Because of this, the impact of the BLM movement expanded massively. In Europe, many took to protest against the disproportionate imprisonment and death in custody of Black people in their own countries. The movement’s impact went beyond denouncing blatant racism and raised discussion about how racism has insidiously trickled into different spheres. In the UK, petitions on decolonising the curriculum were widely tweeted. In India, there was pressure to get rid of ‘fair and lovely’ skin lightening cream. 

Other human rights issues have also made social media headlines. China’s inhumane treatment of the Uyghur Muslims was documented and heavily discussed on Twitter and TikTok in particular. Many users remarked that they would not have been aware of the human rights crisis occurring had they not seen it on social media. The digital generation’s attention was captured largely due to the exponential traction that viral TikToks gained online, prompting many to further research the matter and spread awareness. 

SPARKING GROUND LEVEL REFORM THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVISM

It is important to note that online activism does also go beyond the realm of hashtags and tweets. YouTube videos have proven to be an accessible and effective method of educating people on human rights issues. This is particularly evident regarding the human cost of fast fashion. There are now numerous videos about the human rights issues of the industry, as well as how and where to sustainably shop and thrift. Additionally, the digital age has allowed people to reach out for help and conversely, to offer it to strangers in need. This form of activism was exemplified through lawyers offering free legal advice to refugees through social media and live chats. Such outreach would have been inconceivable even ten years ago, which shows the power that technology has given.

The inherent aim of human rights activism is to advocate for the rights of the oppressed and underrepresented, and to attempt to change political and social discourse. Social media has played an invaluable role in catalysing this process by levelling the playing field and by amplifying the voices of those not given airtime in mainstream media. Whilst human rights activism may accurately conjure up images of immovable, placard-holding protestors, the existence of social media has modernised it. Every demonstration is now founded upon and mobilised by a wave of hashtags, information shared through stories and posts, and the ability to hear an array of voices and perspectives. 

As well as coordinating action, social media has most importantly allowed us to engage with first-hand accounts of those undergoing human rights crises. This has been the crux of increased activism, giving a depth and humanity to previous impersonal news of human rights violations. As personal stories about ongoing matters circulate on the internet, outsiders become more connected with the cause. Additionally, by allowing victims of human rights violations to narrate their own accounts of their circumstances, social media has become a tool for victims to independently shift and reclaim stagnant narratives. 

NAVIGATING CHALLENGES IN ONLINE ACTIVISM

On a cautionary note, the rise of digital activism has also shed light on its flaws, from misinformation to performative activism. A prime example of the latter was when masses took to Instagram to post black screens in a show of solidarity with the BLM movement, using the hashtag #blackouttuesday. Upon clicking on the hashtag, a never-ending sea of black squares took up the screen, counteracting any useful information. Big brands have been called out for statements of solidarity made during the peak of the BLM movement, but not implementing genuine action – such as diversifying their leadership teams, recognising unconscious bias within the company and the hiring process and donate to causes committed to bettering the movement. This conveyed the redundancy of online activism if - albeit well-intentioned - it does not translate into tangible action. Such engagement does little to propel a movement forward. Misinformation in the cyber sphere is also pressing, since anyone can state anything on the internet and baselessly deem it fact. This can and has manipulated socio political discourse and caused serious damage to various movements, with the most prominent example being the way misinformation was shared and exacerbated at an alarming rate during the US elections, proving social media activism is still a work in progress. 

A VITAL STARTING POINT FOR ACTIVISM IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Ultimately, social media’s unwavering presence in the modern world has contemporised human rights activism and granted it an unparalleled access. The key to incurring change remains the same – implementation on the ground. The virtual world has cultivated a space which has enlightened many about issues of the real world, and emboldened them to act offline. While no system can be entirely reformed with collective clicks, the events of the last few months – across the globe - have perhaps proven it is a legitimate and valuable starting point.

Zara is a final year LLB student at the University of Birmingham and a freelance writer. Her particular interests lie in the philosophical foundations and socio-political nature of criminal and human rights law. She is also keen to bring stories outside of the mainstream media to the forefront.

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