Internet activism facts for kids

Internet activism is when people use online tools like social media, e-mail, and podcasts to support a cause or bring about change. It helps groups of people communicate faster and reach many others. Activists use the internet to raise money, build communities, and organize events. A digital activism campaign is an organized effort where people use digital tools to ask for changes from those in power.

How Online Activism Works

Online activism can be used in different ways.

• Being Active or Reactive: This means either starting efforts to make changes happen or responding to problems after they occur.
• Organizing and Bringing People Together: This involves gathering people and information online to plan actions, which can happen both online and offline.
• Spreading Awareness and Support: This is about sharing information to make others aware of an issue or to support specific campaigns.

Some online activism happens completely online, like Internet sleuthing (online detective work) or hacking. Other movements, like Occupy Wall Street, mostly happen offline but use the internet to help organize.

How Online Activism Grows

Online activism can help people work together and grow movements. However, powerful groups might try to block or watch internet use. This can make people censor themselves or create a "digital divide," where some people have less access to the internet. This can sometimes cause activism to slow down over time.

People often start their involvement by joining online groups and discussions. Then, they might sign online petitions. The hope is that they will eventually get involved offline too, if the organization helps them take bigger steps.

Early Examples of Internet Activism

One of the first big examples of online activism was against a product called Lotus Marketplace in 1990. This product was a database that would contain personal information about 120 million people in the U.S. Privacy advocates were worried because this data would be easy to search and share on CD-ROM.

People started an e-mail and online bulletin board campaign. They shared information on how to contact Lotus and provided sample letters. One message, widely shared, said it was "too much like big brother." More than 30,000 people contacted Lotus asking for their names to be removed. Because of this, Lotus cancelled the product in 1991.

Another early example happened in 1998. A rebel group in Mexico called EZLN used cell phones and the internet to connect with activists around the world. They helped create the anti-globalization group Peoples Global Action (PGA), which protested the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. The PGA continued to use these methods to call for "global days of action."

How the Internet is Used for Activism

The internet helps people work together more. People tend to rely on their group connections and shared identities to get involved online. The internet is great for movements that want to challenge big organizations. It's hard for large companies or media to control the internet because it's designed to be open and spread out.

Spreading Information

The internet is a key tool for activists, especially those whose messages might not be heard in regular news. Websites and email lists help share news that might otherwise be hard to find. Activists also organize online petitions to send to governments or other groups, asking for changes. Many non-profit groups use these methods, emailing petitions and asking people to share them. The internet also lets organizations like NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) talk to people cheaply and quickly.

Hashtag Activism

Hashtag activism is when people use hashtags on social media to support or fight for a cause. This term became popular around 2011. Famous examples include #BlackLivesMatter.

TikTok

The TikTok app is increasingly used to raise awareness about social issues through short, creative videos. For example, in 2020, TikTok played a big part in the #FreeBritney movement about Britney Spears' legal situation. While it raised awareness, some also criticized it for spreading false information.

Corporate Activism

Even companies use internet activism to get support for their causes. They might create websites to improve their image, put pressure on competitors, or push for policy changes. For example, the clothing company American Apparel had a website called Legalize LA that supported immigration reform.

Sometimes, these company-led campaigns are called "astroturfing" instead of "grassroots activism." This is because they are funded by private money, not by ordinary people.

Religious Activism

Some religious groups use the internet to connect. They might be small, spread-out groups who share beliefs and texts online. They can exchange personal stories and study together using email, chat rooms, and message boards.

Environmental Activism

One of the first books about online activism was Ecolinking in 1992, which focused on environmental information. It showed people how to find environmental news online and connect with environmentalists worldwide.

In 2018, Greta Thunberg, then 15, started an environmental movement in Sweden. She protested outside the Swedish parliament, which led to the "School Strike for Climate" (SSC) movement. This movement, also known as "Fridays for Future" (FFF), spread globally, with children missing classes on Fridays to strike. It has raised environmental awareness among world leaders.

In 2020, the National Trust in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland started the #BlossomWatch campaign. It encouraged people to share pictures of blossom, showing the first signs of Spring.

Hacktivism

Hacktivism is when people use hacking skills to achieve a political goal. This can include things like:

• Denial-of-Service attacks (DDoS): Flooding a website with traffic to make it crash.
• Web defacement: Taking over a website and changing its content.
• Doxing: Releasing private information about someone online.

These actions are different ways to reach a similar goal, often to protest or make a statement. You can learn more at hacktivism.

Impact on Discussions

The internet can reach and involve "Online Political Citizens." These are people who are much more likely to influence the opinions of their friends, family, and co-workers. This means online activism can have a big impact on how people think and behave.

Information and Communication Technologies

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) like social media make it easy to get and share information. While this is mostly good, it can also be tricky. People can get tired or overwhelmed by too many messages. Also, the loudest voice online might be an extreme one, which can change how people see an issue.

Online social networks are like modern versions of old ways people used to gather, like town hall meetings. Now, people can connect worldwide. Women, for example, can form international groups to fight for rights in their countries. They can share tips and up-to-date information.

However, with so much information, there's a trend called "slacktivism" or "clicktivism." While it's great that information spreads fast, people sometimes think that just "liking" something or sharing it on social media is enough. Viral campaigns are good for starting interest, but they might not lead to long-term action.

Raising Money Online

The internet has made it easier for many small donors to help fund political campaigns. Before, it was too expensive to ask for small donations because of printing and mailing costs. But groups like MoveOn found they could raise a lot of money from small donors with very low costs, mostly just credit card fees. This means more people can be involved in funding political efforts.

The internet also allows ordinary people to donate to help with disasters or tragedies. For example, after the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon quickly raised money online. This shows how entertainment and fundraising can work together to help people in need.

Ethics of Online Activism

Internet activism brings up questions about what is right and wrong. Supporters say it helps social progress, especially for groups with fewer resources. They believe it works best when combined with traditional activism.

However, critics worry that facts and opinions can get mixed up online. They also worry that some online activism is more about personal gain than helping society. For example, some might exploit charities for money or try to unfairly influence voters. This means activism might just describe society rather than truly changing it.

Some suggest being careful about:

• Promoting yourself instead of the cause.
• Sending unwanted bulk emails.
• Hacktivism.
• Breaking copyright rules.
• Being annoying or scary.

Many of these concerns are discussed more in the criticisms of online activism.

See also

• Internet vigilantism
• Online social movement
• User revolt