4.11

Political Activism Through Social Media

Social media is a widely used and impactful tool for activism and change. Activities explore ways to use social media to advocate for an issue of personal interest while considering the potential upsides and downsides of online activism and how individuals can evaluate the impact of their activism through social media.

What is activism? The climate justice activist Anjali Appadurai said it is "the practice of addressing an issue, any issue, by challenging those in power" (Activist Handbook, 2021, para. 5). According to Newsela, activism happens "when people fight for social change" (para. 1). Faculty in the Department of Anthropology at Syracuse University frame activism as "organizing, strategizing, mobilizing, and educating" (para. 1). Activists use social media extensively to pursue their goals for change.

Watch on YouTube

Activity: Advocate for an Issue You Care About on Social Media

Designing for Learning: Student-Created Activity Example

Advocate for an Issue You Care About on Social Media by Kelsey Rowe, Fallon Matte, Kaitlin LeBlanc, Chanhwi Jung

Additional Resources

Connecting to the Building Democracy for All eBook

Building Democracy for All: Youth Activists and Change Makers

Connecting to the Standards

  • Massachusetts Civics & Government Standards
    • Explain the importance of individuals working cooperatively with their elected leaders. (Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for History and Social Studies) [8.T4.8]
  • ISTE Standards
    • Digital Citizen
      • 2a: Students cultivate and manage their digital identity and reputation and are aware of the permanence of their actions in the digital world.
      • 2b: Students engage in positive, safe, legal and ethical behavior when using technology, including social interactions online or when using networked devices.
    • Knowledge Constructor
      • 3a: Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits.
      • 3d: Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions.
    • Creative Communicator
      • 6a: Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.
      • 6b: Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
      • 6d: Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for the intended audiences.
  • DLCS Standards
    • Safety and Security (CAS.a)
    • Collaboration and Communication (DTC.b)
    • Research (DTC.c)
  • English Language Arts > History/Social Studies Common Core Standards
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.7

This content is provided to you freely by Equity Press.

Access it online or download it at https://equitypress.org/mediaandciviclearning/social_media_activism.