Youth Activism on Social Media

The ability of social media to show the life of a person on the other side of the world with all their nakedness allows us to observe global inequality secondhand. Constant exposure to the problems of the world through the lenses of less controlled media is a function that radio and television could not achieve, which are the main media tools consumed by previous generations. This, as might be expected, leads to the anxiety of helplessness and the feeling stuck in the state of being too late in younger generations as well as benefits reflecting the importance and urgency of the situation. Nonetheless, social media gives power to young people to make their voices heard, and to find people who are carrying the same desires for the future.

People who write their own narratives on social media are building a platform that creates individuality and togetherness at the same time when it is used to one’s benefit. The consumer community also plays a role in the production of the consumed content, and therefore, young activists, who are born into technology, can use the power of social media to reach more people in less time. The term youth activism includes behaviors aimed at making social interest issues more visible by people between the ages of 18 and 33 (Cortés-Ramos et al., 2021). However, it is possible to say that social transformation takes place at a much earlier age. A survey conducted in the UK in 2020 recorded that 34% of people aged 8–17 took action about a cause thanks to the internet and they felt their opinions mattered (Carnegie, 2022). Passion to make a change turns into a vision, and for that vision to come true, activism becomes a part of young people’s identity.

KU Global Aid has also started to bring its projects to social media in recent years. With COVID-19, we continued our vision from afar with the same motivation. We held KUGA Talks together with people who are interested in social entrepreneurship and social responsibility and have achieved success in these issues. We tried to raise awareness through our social media accounts in the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and we showed an example of solidarity and cooperation in such crisis moments. Studies show that when we actively or passively defend what we believe in and make it a part of our personality on social media, we can really make our voices heard and create change.

Currently, we are working on our newest project, KU Disability Pride Project. We will try to create a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities on our campus and one of our biggest goals is to raise awareness and organize events where social networking is possible! Do not forget to review our Instagram account to get more information and support our project.

https://www.instagram.com/kudisabilityprideproject/

Written by Meryem Buse Apladı

References

Aşula, AnthonyCade. (2021, February 14). New Wave of the KU Global Aid. Retrieved from NEW WAVE OF THE KU GLOBAL AID. At the beginning of this semester, for… | by KU Global Aid | Medium

Carnegie, Megan. “Gen Z: How Young People Are Changing Activism.” BBC Worklife, 7 Aug. 2022, www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220803-gen-z-how-young-people-are-changing-activism.

Cortés-Ramos, A.; Torrecilla García, J.A.; Landa-Blanco, M.; Poleo Gutiérrez, F.J.; Castilla Mesa, M.T. Activism and Social Media: Youth Participation and Communication. Sustainability 2021, 13, 10485. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su131810485

Shelley Boulianne & Jakob Ohme (2022) Pathways to environmental activism in four countries: social media, environmental concern, and political efficacy, Journal of Youth Studies, 25:6, 771–792, DOI: 10.1080/13676261.2021.2011845